More than 600 Participate in Steel Rail Races

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Matthew Ferraro was the first runner across the finish line at the MountainOne Steel Rail Marathon.
 
Ferraro clocked a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes flat on the Ashuwilticook Rail Trail course.
 
He finished a little more than five minutes ahead of runner-up Nick Reid (2:46:15).
 
Simone Veale won the race's women's division in a time of 3:18:42. She beat out Jill Hussain, who covered the course in 3:27:23.
 
The fastest marathoner on Sunday was Stephen Gulley, a hand cyclist, who clocked a time of 2:15:03.
 
The 26.2-mile circuit was covered by 150 finishers ranging in age from 18 (William Hanley in 14th place) to 72 (Ric Nudell, who finished in 6:04:47).
 
The day also featured a half-marathon and an 8-kilometer race.
 
Mark Rabasco won the half-marathon in 1:18:41, edging Vincent Gauthier (1:22:38).
 
Kat Morrissey placed third overall in 1:23:43 and first among women in the half-marathon, which had 213 finishers.
 
Abigail Chaloux was the fastest woman in the 8K, crossing the finish line in 35:52, six seconds ahead of Caroline Kessler; the two women were ninth and 10th, respectively, overall in a field of 171 finishers.
 
Peter Hale had the fastest 8K time, 27:42. Erik Kessler was second in 30:32.
 
More than 600 people registered for Sunday's races, a record for the Berkshire Running Foundation event. Runners from 24 different states signed up to run.
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Pittsfield Council Makes Move to Hire Building Commissioner

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council removed residency requirements for Pittsfield's building commissioner during its regular meeting on Tuesday. 

Mayor Peter Marchetti reported there is a candidate for the position that does not live within a ten-mile radius, as required by the city code. 

"I understand why the police chief, fire chief, and DPW commissioner need to live within a 10-mile radius. I don't necessarily see the same from the building commissioner," he said. 

"So, in order to be able to move forward, we have offered the position to a candidate, and that candidate has accepted. So, I'm looking to streamline this process. The candidate won't give notice to their current employer until they know that we've made it through the hurdles of being able to hire someone that is outside of the code, so that's the purpose of tonight's request." 

Councilors approved an amendment to Chapter 16, section 23.1 (F), deleting "The Building Commissioner must establish a residence within 10 miles of the perimeter of the City within 90 days of appointment."

Rule 34 was waived so that it didn't have to go before the Ordinances and Rules Subcommittee before ordainment. 

The mayor said he can come forward with a name at the July meeting if this requirement is deleted. 

"When I saw this, I did not see why this position should have to be within 10 miles of the city," Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso said. 

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