Boston Magazine Honors Steven Valenti and Barrington Stage

12:00AM / Thursday, August 04, 2005Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Boston Magazine has recognized a longtime business staple in the city of Pittsfield, along with the city's Tony Award-winning playhouse in its annual "Best of Boston" list.

For the first time, the magazine devoted a section of the list to the Berkshires and gave a nod to Steven Valenti Clothing for Men in downtown Pittsfield as the region's best men's clothing store.

The magazine raves, "So many stores have forsaken good, old-fashioned service for the ubiquitous bottom line. But integrity still means something at this North Street shop."

In addition, Boston Magazine lauded Barrington Stage Company, which will soon call Pittsfield's Berkshire Music Hall its permanent home. The magazine rated BSC as the region's best alternative theater, saying: "Once in a blue moon, a regional theater becomes a Broadway darling. That time is now for the Barrington Stage Company, whose '25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' scored not one but two Tony Awards this year, including best actor for the company's own Dan Fogler."

Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto congratulated Valenti and the Barrington Stage for the recognition in the "Best of Boston 2005" in the August issue of Boston Magazine.

"It's fantastic to see attention being paid to some of the people who are making Pittsfield a great place to live and work," said Ruberto. "It's just another sign that the rest of the world is beginning to see all that this city has to offer."

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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