Pittsfield Earns Insurance Premium Credits Through MIIA

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield earned $28,771 in insurance premium credits through the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association Rewards Program.
 
The City of Pittsfield received $28,771 back on its workers compensation and property and casualty insurance costs, applicable toward premium reductions for the next fiscal year, because of its participation in an incentive program offered by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), its insurance provider.
 
"We are thrilled to receive these MIIA Reward credits. Within the City of Pittsfield, it’s vital that our employees have access to comprehensive resources, training, and information that support their safety and well-being," Mayor Linda Tyer said. "These credits reflect a steady commitment on the part of our employees to staying engaged and informed to ensure a safe, productive and efficient working environment."
 
Pittsfield employees participated in seminars and training sessions on human resources and legal issues, as well as a boiler sensor pilot program, among other initiatives supported by the MIIA Rewards program.
 
In fiscal year 2020, which concluded on June 30, MIIA awarded over $2.4 million in premium credits to 285 of its member communities and municipal organizations – resulting in an 18-year total of over $38.2 million since the program’s inception.
 
"The City of Pittsfield has demonstrated a great commitment over the past year to promote safety in the workplace and mitigate risk," Stanley Corcoran, executive vice president of MIIA said. "The result of their efforts has been to help lower their insurance costs by earning these Rewards credits. MIIA looks forward to its ongoing partnership with Pittsfield to ensure its employees continue to be well-trained and prepared to avoid unnecessary risks and losses, and to save local taxpayer dollars."
 
MIIA is the non-profit insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. As a member-based organization, MIIA’s focus is to provide excellent service and quality risk management and health insurance solutions to Massachusetts municipalities and related public entities. MIIA insures nearly 400 cities, towns, and other public entities in Massachusetts.
 

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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