PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester, chair for the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, recently spent time visiting Berkshire County Arc's programs. Mark is also a member of the joint committee.
During their visit, they spent time discussing short- and long-term plans for human services in Massachusetts.
BCArc offers a broad range of community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and autism.
In the photo above, from left: Pam Kight, director of employment and community-based day services; Cybele Kilby, vice president of day & employment services; state Sen. Paul Mark; state Sen. Robyn Kennedy; President & CEO Maryann Hyatt; Erin Manson, Department of Developmental Services residential services director; CFO Blanca Durant; Jessica Russo, director of family support & advocacy; and Scott Barschdorf, director of brain injury services.
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Pittsfield Seeks OPM for Crosby/Conte Proposal
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Building Needs Commission met with some new members under a new defining ordinance on Tuesday.
"You're joining at a very exciting time for our district," interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said.
The Pittsfield Public Schools are seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the Massachusetts Schools Building Authority to rebuild and consolidate the outdated John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.
Last week, the City Council approved an ordinance for a 19-member School Building Needs Commission. The mayor appoints seven members, the superintendent appoints five, and seven are city officials.
The council also OK'd the appointment of Frank Laragione, Brendan Sheran, Judy Gitelson, Tonya Frazier, Jared LaBeau Sr., Cristina Duhamel, and William Cameron to the commission for terms between one and five years. Duhamel and LaBeau introduced themselves as new members on Tuesday.
The MSBA has invited the district to a feasibility study phase, and a selection committee is working to bring forward applicants for an owner's project manager. This hired consultant oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest.
Duhamel, Pittsfield's deputy purchasing agent, reported that the OPM listing will be advertised on Wednesday and on Monday, and there will be a pre-bid walk-through at Crosby. Proposals are due by Feb. 18 under this timeline, and the top three will be brought forward for interviews.
Purchasing Agent Colleen Hunter-Mullett believes that the interviews will be open to the public, but said she will confirm that information.
The First's opening was announced on Facebook by Mayor Peter Marchetti, writing that it wouldn't have been possible without the city's ARPA funds, committed in 2022, and all of the partners who stepped up.
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In the worst-case scenario, the town could be forced to reduce staff if projected increases in the school budget, health insurance, and other uncontrollable costs occur. click for more