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 Animal Control Commission Eyes Animal Abuse Registry

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Animal Control Commission organized itself late last month and floated a couple of areas to address. 

This includes a registry of animal cruelty offenders and handling issues with off-leash dogs at Kirvin Park. The commission is no longer in charge of dangerous or nuisance dog hearings

"Now that we have two separate commissions, the Animal Control Commission and the Hearing Authority, the Animal Control Commission is going to oversee sort of the rules, regulations, and city ordinances for Pittsfield regarding animals, dogs, cats, etc.," Animal Control Officer Kristin Quintal explained. 

"So, if there are any issues that the community wants to discuss regarding park situations, any changes to the city ordinances, things like that." 

During a brief meeting on June 30, the commission welcomed new members John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society's executive director, and Tricia Phillips, the Humane Society's community outreach coordinator. 

Perreault was elected chair, and Phillips was elected secretary. 

In 2025, Pittsfield made a separate authority for dangerous dog hearings and made changes to the Animal Control Commission, including fewer members and no requirement for veterinarian representation on the panel. 

"So this commission is supposed to meet four times a year to discuss happy things," Renee Dodds, the former chair, told members last year. 

The commission meets quarterly to "study, review, and issue written reports on issues dealing with dogs or other animals in the City and shall coordinate to the fullest extent possible the work of all public and private agencies concerned with animal care, protection and control," the City Code reads. 

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