Pittsfield Seeks Input on Fair Housing

03:30PM / Tuesday, December 19, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield is seeking public input as part of an analysis focusing on fair housing, discriminatory housing policies and practices required by the federal Fair Housing Act.

This analysis will identify local concerns and guide the City on how to allocate federal funds to improve economic equity and growth in the community.

A public comment period is now open through Jan. 16, 2024 seeking input regarding barriers to access to housing, public services, employment, transportation, and education based on race, age, income, or disability.

Comments can be sent by email to njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org or by mail to the: Department of Community Development, Pittsfield City Hall, 70 Allen Street Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Also, a survey, with questions about Fair Housing in your community, is available in both English

and Spanish at these links:

Fair Housing Survey (English)

Fair Housing Survey (Spanish)

These surveys are also available on the city's website cityofpittsfield.org, under Community Development/Fair Housing Survey. The survey will be open through Jan. 16, 2024.

For further information, contact the Pittsfield Department of Community Development, (413) 499-9358.

Tags: housing,

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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