Barrett to Clean Up Pittsfield Streets
  Former Mayor John Barrett III at James Ruberto's swearing in on Monday. Audio courtesy media partner WUPE |
Former North Adams Mayor John Barrett III is joining Mayor James Ruberto's administration as a short-term consultant for neighborhood revitalization. The move was announced at a press conference Wednesday morning at City Hall.
Barrett, who had a front-row seat at Ruberto's swearing-in on Monday, hinted about the job then, saying he'd put off a Florida vacation to advise the Pittsfield mayor on some projects.
In his inaugural speech, Ruberto pledged to increase his administration's outreach "into EVERY community and corner of Pittsfield." His late wife Ellen's illness had made it difficult to keep up those connections, he said.
"I am also redoubling our efforts to make sure that services are delivered efficiently and fairly on every street all across the 40-plus square miles of this city," he had continued.
Ruberto's challengers, particularly former City Councilor Daniel E. Bianchi, had accused the mayor of focusing on the downtown area to the detriment of neighborhood infrastructure and safety. The North Street area has been undergoing a major transformation with streetscaping and the development of cultural venues such as the Beacon Cinema and Colonial theater, which Ruberto had touted as successes during his campaign.
Barrett will review ways to improve the city's parks, streets and public services, according to The Berkshire Eagle. Known as a hands-on administrator, Barrett took great pride during his 26 years in office in the level of services provided in North Adams, from keeping the streets clean and plowed to the beautification of Main Street to the development of parks and playing fields.
He will start work today and is expected to have office space in City Hall by tomorrow. According to The Eagle, Ruberto declined to say how much he was being paid. A call to Ruberto had not yet been returned when this story was posted.
Barrett was defeated in his pursuit of a record 14th term by challenger Richard Alcombright, who officially took over the reins of the city on Monday. Barrett had said he was considering doing some consulting work and had planned to have an office at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, a project he considers one of his crowning achievements.
He and Ruberto became closer during Ellen Ruberto's battle with cancer last year, as Barrett's late wife, Eileen, also succumbed to cancer early in his tenure.
Barrett's vision of city revitalization is well known: Invest in schools, streets, parks and keep it pretty and people and business will come.
"We rebuilt this city by going back in the neighborhoods," the former mayor said as launched his campaign last summer. "You don't rebuild a city by starting in the downtown."
On Monday, Barrett was going to lunch with Ruberto after the inaugural festivities — and planning to discuss the poor conditions of Pittsfield's snowbound roads.
The press conference is available for viewing on PCTV.
