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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PHS Air and Water Quality Within Accepted Levels
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Air and water quality testing at Pittsfield High School came back within acceptable levels, and the administration is open to additional testing.
Last week, the School Committee accepted test results on the facility that has sat on East Street for nearly 100 years. The report was done in collaboration with Atlas Technical Consultants and the Pittsfield Water Department.
Readings were "acceptable" in all tested locations, and there are recommendations for monitoring humidity, replacing equipment, and additional air monitoring when needed. Some retesting needed to be done, and a couple of sink faucets were removed in the process.
"If you want every room sampled, we can do it," Mayor Peter Marchetti said in response to Ciara Batory's concerns about air sampling in only a handful of rooms.
"This is the report that came back, and this report does not show that children are in danger."
Limited indoor air quality readings were done in rooms 102, 103, 104, and 116 on June 31. Air quality testing was also done two years ago.
Humidity levels were slightly above American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers guidelines in rooms 103 and 104; monitoring and dehumidification are recommended.
The report says that mold spores captured in rooms 103 and 104 likely originated from an indoor source. Custodial deep cleaning was done right before samples were taken, and a retest showed levels within an acceptable range.
Readings were "acceptable" in all tested locations, and there are recommendations for monitoring humidity, replacing equipment, and additional air monitoring when needed. click for more
For two weekends, the veil between past and present will lift, bringing Pittsfield's Revolutionary War-era founders to life, particularly the women who challenged the male-dominated 18th-century hierarchy. click for more
Local public safety personnel responded to a mass-casualty incident Sunday on Washington Mountain Road based on the number of patients although the injuries were reported to be "minor."
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The monies were accepted in August, and the committee could appropriate at its discretion. Officials have reported that State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier pushed for the extra per-pupil aid to restore some positions after another tight budget year.
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