Pittsfield Health Officials to Monitor Grocery Stores for Social Distance, Mask Compliance

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As local concerns continue to increase regarding the absence of proper facial coverings and the lack of appropriate social distancing efforts in grocery stores throughout the city, the Pittsfield Health Department on Tuesday issued formal guidance to all stores reinforcing the state’s guidelines on these protective measures and announced health officials will be inspecting grocery stores to monitor compliance beginning Wednesday, April 15.

Additionally, store management will be asked to submit a plan on how they will manage the number of shoppers in their locations.

A letter was emailed to 36 grocery stores and supermarkets and was signed by both the city's Health Director, Gina Armstrong, and Dr. Alan Kulberg, chair of the Pittsfield Board of Health. The communication references the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s April 7 order on social distancing in grocery stores and the department’s April 10 advisory on facial coverings and cloth masks to support the city’s compliance initiatives especially in "situations where it is difficult to maintain a social distance of six feet from others."

Armstrong said the letter was a necessary action as reports have been shared with the Health Department, as well as with the local press and social media, noting a lack of compliance in local stores over the past several days.

Armstrong said city health officials take this information very seriously and are committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of the public.

"We know that because grocery stores are an essential resource during these times, these places are going to be populated on a daily basis. We want to ensure that the measures are firmly in place to protect both patrons and those working in these environments," Armstrong said. "We are committed to working collaboratively with our community partners to ensure the public’s safety."

Kulberg said it is essential to remember why these precautions are necessary.

"The underlying rationale is that a significant number of people can transmit the COVID-19 virus when minimally symptomatic or even when not demonstrating any symptoms," Kulberg said. "Therefore, it must be assumed that any individual is potentially contagious, regardless of outward appearance."

To help streamline the acquisition of masks for local stores, Armstrong said her department has been in contact with Berkshire Mask Makers, a group of private citizens who sew masks that are washable and meets the standard described in the order. The group has already provided 100 masks to Stop and Shop in North Adams. For more information or to place an order, send an email to tylerstreetlab@gmail.com.

For more information, contact the Health Department at 413-499-9411.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

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.