Tyler Street Community Mural Unveiling Slated for Saturday

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, in partnership with the city of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development, invites the public to attend the official unveiling of the "Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow" mural on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 11:30 a.m.
 
The mural is located on the northeast side of Goodwill's building at 158 Tyler St.
 
Goodwill officials and Pittsfield Mayor Linda M. Tyer will unveil the mural in conjunction with the Pittsfield Better Block celebration that will follow from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The mural, created by local artist Kathy Garren, is a community art project that was sponsored by the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development and the Tyler Street Transformative Development Initiative through MassDevelopment, with assistance from Morningside UP, Sherwin-Williams and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, Inc.
 
Garren was chosen by a jury made up of artists, business owners, and community members in the Morningside neighborhood following a call for art for the Mural Project. She is a children's book illustrator, portrait painter and muralist living in Dalton, Mass. Garren has worked on the restoration of the Vietnam Memorial mural in Pittsfield, and has done indoor murals for various restaurants in the area.  Some of her most recent artwork includes illustrating several children's books written by Arlo Guthrie, including Old Bill, the Famous Berkshire Moose. 
 
"I love living in the Berkshires and am so happy to be a part of all of the plans to the Tyler Street area," Garren said. "I think my Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow mural is a perfect symbol for revitalization and growth for that neighborhood."
 
Goodwill and Berkshire County Head Start will also host a Kidz Zone with games and activities for children of all ages at 214 Tyler St. during Pittsfield Better Block.

Tags: better block,   community event,   murals,   

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Pittsfield Council to See Borrow Request for Water Treatment Upgrades

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city plans to complete upgrades to the Cleveland and Ashley Water Treatment Plants by 2033. 

On the agenda is a request to borrow up to $15 million for upgrades to the city's two water treatment plants, the Cleveland and Ashley Water Treatment Plants.  This would fund the final design and permitting for Phases 1-3, phase 1 of interim updates, allowances, and contingency. 

The total water treatment plant program is estimated to be $165 million over the next 8 years, with $150 million for long-term construction and $15 million for near-term needs "to keep the plants operational and
advance the program through design and permitting," the project's cover letter explains. 

The city does not anticipate water rate increases outside of the established new system based on the  Consumer Price Index Factor (CPIF) and the Operational Stability Factor (OSF). 

"This borrowing, and subsequent authorizations anticipated over the multi-year WTP program, has
been integrated into the Water Enterprise Fund's rate structure so that future debt service is absorbed
within the Council's established formula," the cover letter reads. 

The $15,000,000 borrowing would support:

  • Final Design & Permitting (Phases 1–3): $9.2M
  • Phase 1 Construction (incl. bidding & engineering during construction): $2.4M
  • Land Acquisition/Misc. Engineering/Legal/Contingency: $1.4M
  • WTP Equipment Replacement/Maintenance to Plant Operations: $2.0M

Starting this year, two finished water storage tanks would be designed and constructed, chemical improvements would be made at the Cleveland WTP, and the East New Lenox Road flow control station would receive a new pump station to allow the Ashley WTP to be offline during the third phase. 

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