Election 2009: Caccamo Plans Savings With Energy Efficiency

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — My name is Nicholas J. Caccamo and I am running for mayor of Pittsfield. My platform is centered around three main goals: becoming a more energy efficient city, becoming a more sustainable community, and moving towards a locally based economy.

One of my main goals for the city would be to reduce the cost of operation in Pittsfield by becoming more energy efficient. A proposal I have been making throughout the campaign is the creation of a "managed street light system."

A managed street light system would utilize a "smart" ballast that sends and receives information from the
segment controller and commands a high-pressured sodium vapor bulb. When fully operational, this system allows for total control over the entire street-lighting operation.

A managed system will result in a significant reduction of Budget Item 52101 (Street Lighting Operation). In addition, a managed street light system will increase city safety and beautification. The system will also lower maintenance costs by pin-pointing lamp failures and malfunctions while extending lamp life, thus reducing parts

replacement costs.

If elected, I will be an advocate for conducting energy audits on public buildings in Pittsfield. Decreasing the amount of money spent on utilities and heating costs of public buildings can drastically reduce our city's cost of operation. Money saved on utilities citywide means jobs saved, too. In addition I will ensure that building renovations are conducted with an emphasis on increasing efficiency.

More information about my plans to help improve the city can be found at my Web site caccamoformayor.webs.com.

Submitted by the campaign to elected Nicholas J. Caccamo
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Neal's Office Among Those Targeted by Suspicious Mailings

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was among congressmen apparently targeted by someone mailing suspicious envelopes. 
 
According to a report in The Berkshire Eagle, an envelope containing a powdery substance was discovered by postal inspectors before reaching Neal's Pittsfield office in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building.
 
Nearly 40 members of Congress have received envelopes containing white powder, according to The Guardian. More than 100 letters are thought to be in the U.S. mail system and the FBI, Capitol Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were investigating the mailings that have also been sent to elections officials in various states. 
 
The mailings have been sent to both Republican and Democrat officeholders and several congressional district offices had to be evacuated in the last week or so after envelopes were opened in them. 
 

Earlier today, my Bronx district office received an envelope delivered by mail that contained a suspicious substance. Local law enforcement responded swiftly and, after investigating, determined the substance to be non-hazardous.

— Rep. Ritchie Torres (@repritchie.bsky.social) October 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM
The Guardian reported that the FBI is warning officials to look for envelopes processed through a north Texas center and that carry a postmark or stamp stating "Thinking of You."
 
The Eagle states that Neal's office was alerted on Saturday that it might be getting a suspicious package; inspectors seized the envelope at the Fenn Street post office on Monday.
 
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