Pittsfield School Committee Approves Adult Learning Center Move

By Joe DurwinPittsfield Correspondent
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The Adult Learning Center was approved for a new lease on North Street by the city's school committee Thursday.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following two bidding processes, a split City Council decision and an injunction in Berkshire Superior Court, the school department's Adult Learning Center was approved on Thursday for a new lease on North Street by the School Committee.
 
The center's relocation from its previous home on Lyman Street was approved in June after a 7-4 vote by the City Council, although there were staunch objections by its then landlord and councilors who felt locating it in the city's main retail corridor represented poor urban planning. The rationale behind the center's move was based on the fact that GDL Associates, which owns the new 141 North St. location, offered a lower rent during the required bidding process.
 
The move hit a snag the following month, however, after prior landlord Philip Massery filed for and was granted an injunction preventing the city from implementing its new contract with GDL Associates. Massery's complaint alleged that the North Street space offered in GDL's bid at the time did not meet the educational center's minimum requirements and criteria put forth in its request for proposals, an argument that was upheld by Berkshire Superior Judge John Agnostini.
 
Following a second request for proposals, Kristen Behnke reported that the school department this time had only received one bid, that of GDL.  
 
"It does meet all the requirements, and there's a savings over last year of $7,800," Behnke said.
 
The committee voted unanimously to approve the new lease at 141 North St., where the center has already begun holding its classes for this year. The new lease will be for one year, instead of five in the overturned first lease, with an option for up to two one-year renewals at the sole discretion of the School Committee. 

Tags: adult learning,   Pittsfield School Committee,   relocation,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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