image description — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester, holding gifts, visit Berkshire County Arc's programs earlier this month.

State Senators Tour Berkshire County Arc Programs

12:25PM / Thursday, December 28, 2023Print Story | Email Story

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.

Tags: bcarc, paul mark, state officials,

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Pittsfield Begins Search for OPM to Lead Crosby/Conte Project

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:40PM / Wednesday, January 07, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wheels are moving on the Crosby/Conte proposal.

On Tuesday, the School Building Needs Commission created a seven-member selection committee for an owner's project manager.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority, from which the district is seeking an 80 percent reimbursement, has invited Pittsfield Public Schools to a feasibility study phase, along with five other districts. On the table is a proposal to rebuild and consolidate the outdated John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.

Potential solutions will be studied, and a cost estimate and schedule will be laid out. According to a schedule provided by the MSBA, the district is expected to have a recommendation for a new West Side school by May.

An OPM is a hired consultant who oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest. The MSBA recommends completing a request for services by Jan. 15 and advertising the position by Jan. 29.

Under this timeline, applications are due by February 18, an OPM is selected, and the package is submitted to the MSBA for review on March 11. The hope is to complete the process by April 6.

"It's an aggressive timeline, but ultimately, once we get to March, if everyone gets there at the same time, it will be determined by the spaces they have available," interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said regarding the funding.

During his State of the City Address on Monday, Mayor Peter Marchetti reported that three options are being studied for the Crosby campus to determine what best serves the district and city.