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Pittsfield School Officials Affirm Decision on Braves' Replacement

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee affirmed its decision to replace the Taconic mascot on Wednesday.
 
A vote on Wednesday was taken to clarify the procedure in accepting and then filing a petition two weeks ago from a group of citizens who are against changing the name from the Braves. 
 
"I think we are wading here into a parliamentary morass," committee member William Cameron said. "The point of the vote has been lost sight of as we struggle to find words to satisfy those people who won't be satisfied by anything but rescinding the vote." 
 
School officials voted in August to eliminate the name, but the item was placed on the agenda again in September after a group of alumni and residents communicated that they were unclear that a vote would take place. They wanted a chance to speak to the matter.
 
During this meeting in September, this group also put forth a petition asking the School Committee to hold off on the name change.
 
The committee did not budge and voted to accept the petition, placing it on file and grounding the effort.
 
This caused confusion because the petitioners were under the impression that by accepting the petition, the School Committee had reversed its decision.
 
"It certainly does need to be clarified," petitioner James Massery said during public comment. "It was my interpretation ... that the name of Taconic Braves was actually accepted by a unanimous yes vote at the last meeting."
 
Chairwoman Katherine Yon said the petitioners contacted her on the matter as well as City Council members and the city solicitor. So, she contacted the district's attorney who reaffirmed that the School Committee correctly voted on the petition by filing it.
 
But to be absolutely clear, Yon suggested they vote to reject the petition and place it on file.
 
Mayor Linda Tyer said she was not comfortable with this vote and did not like the sense of rejecting a petition. She felt the committee made the correct vote and didn't have to take further action.
 
"I am not comfortable with rejecting this petition. People need to be able to appeal to their government," Tyer said. "I think the vote you took a few weeks ago was appropriate ... we acknowledged that they were heard." 
 
The mayor said the School Committee could accept the petition as a "receipt," showing that it has acknowledged it, then file it. This would achieve essentially what they already voted on earlier this month.
 
The vote to do this was unanimous.   

 


Tags: Taconic High,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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