Suspicious Fire Scorches Six Acres

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Flames scorched over six acres of rugged wooded terrain on April 29. Fire officials termed the fire suspicious.
Pownal, Vt. - Town fire department officials termed an April 29 fire to be of suspicious origins and confirmed that an investigation into the blaze, which scorched about six acres of rugged terrain, is underway. Officials declined further comment. Pownal Valley Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Joel Howard said that firefighters were called to the Mann Hill Road South area at about 5:10 p.m.. Howard was part of the first firefighting team to arrive at the site and he immediately called for mutual assistance from neighboring communities. Howard said that a significant number of town firefighters were out of town and attending fire fighter education and training sessions, and he could see that the fire had gotten a good start. Firefighters and fire trucks from the Bennington Rural and Bennington Village fire departments, the Williamstown, Mass. fire department, and the Hoosick, N.Y. fire department responded to the fire scene and to town fire houses. Teams of firefighters attacked the flames using rakes, portable water pumps, forestry brooms, shovels, and chainsaws. Howard said that flames had burned many trees, and a number of those trees were crashing to the ground while engulfed in flames as firefighters traveled through the woods. "It was a very dangerous, very hot fire," he said. All-terrain vehicles were utilized to carry equipment and water to the firefighters. Mann Hill Road South and most of Ladd Brook Road were closed to traffic. Vehicles were diverted over Hidden Valley Road or made to travel up Route 7; at least one resident of Mann Hill Road South was forced to wait until the fire was under control before he was permitted to drive to his home. Scorched earth was visible for as far as one could see and numerous pockets of flame were still visible at 8 p.m.. Howard said that he expected town firefighters to be at the scene for at least an additional three hours. The affected acreage is owned by multiple individuals. Land owned by George and Helen Renner, Otto Raetz, and the Dingnon family was burned in the blaze. Members of the Pownal Rescue Squad were at the scene throughout the firefighting effort. No injuries had been reported as of 8 p.m.. Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

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