PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield is strongly discouraging residents from participating in traditional trick-or-treating this year.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has already resulted in the cancellation of the annual Halloween parade and to mitigate transmission of COVID-19, is recommending residents participate in low-risk activities as set out in the guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
For its part, Pittsfield will sponsor several virtual Halloween-themed contests. However, for those who wish to go door to door, the hours will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Those who don't want to partake in the evening's activities should turn off their porch light.
"The gains we have made as a community are a reflection of our consistent and shared commitment to keep ourselves and those around us safe. For this reason, we are strongly urging residents not to participate in trick-or-treat. Despite the risks, we understand that there will be residents and families who choose to participate in trick-or-treat," said Mayor Linda Tyer in a statement. "For those who wish to carry on with this Halloween tradition, we are recommending a number of safety measures to minimize the risk to both themselves and to those around them."
Halloween hours are subject to Pittsfield remaining low-risk (green or gray category) on the state's COVID-19 Community Data map. There is no rain or storm date.
Maintaining adherence to standard COVID-19 recommendations is strongly encouraged including: maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing; avoid crowds and indoor activities with non-household members; wear a COVID-compliant face mask (a Halloween costume mask is not COVID-compliant and should not used with a cloth covering); wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
Other safety recommendations:
Wash hands before packaging single, grab-and-go candy packages.
Set up candy stations in a manner that makes grab-and-go easy, quick, and limits interactions with non-household members.
Do not use communal candy bowls and baskets.
Trick-or-treat with members of your household only.
Please stay in your neighborhood.
Keep moving. Do not congregate on streets, sidewalks or driveways.
Do not allow your child to bring Halloween candy to school.
For those who plan to opt out of this year's trick-or-treat, there are still plenty of ways to safely enjoy the Halloween. City residents are invited to enter the city's virtual Halloween contests that include three themes: Pumpkin Carving, Costumes, and Exterior Home Decorations, with selected categories for both adults and children.
Submissions for each contest will be accepted now through Sunday, Oct. 25. Each winner will receive a cash prize and will be
featured on the Pittsfield Parks and Recreation Facebook page on Friday, Oct. 30. For more information and contest rules, visit the Parks and Recreation page on the city's website, www.cityofpittsfield.org.
Door-to-door trick or treating is included among the CDC's list for higher-risk activities that can spread the virus. Other high-risk activities include trunk-or-treat events that include the distribution of candy from cars in parking lots; indoor costume parties that may attract large crowds; indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming; hayrides or tractor rides with people not in your household; and traveling to rural fall festivals outside of one's community that may be located in an area with community spread of COVID-19.
Low-risk activities include carving pumpkins and home decorating; scavenger hunt such holiday-themed items to look for while admiring decorated homes or one within the home; Halloween movie night within the household or with people in your "pod"; outdoor costume party at which social distancing can be observed; haunted forest, pumpkin patches or orchards that follow safety protocols;
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Biz Briefs: Dream Green Expands, Marie's Closes, Advice for Retiring Docs
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Dream Green Offers Secure Data Destruction
ADAMS, Mass. — Dream Green Recycling is now certified to destroy secure data, opening up possibilities for local municipalities and more to recycle their electronics locally.
Owners Patrick Kennedy and Kyle Danforth said this will help them reach new facilities.
"It allows us to do a lot more, municipalities, government contracts, hospitals, big corporate offices, stuff like that, where they need that badge to do the data destruction and know that, it's done the right way, and it's totally wiped out or destroyed," Danforth said.
The certification took about a year to obtain. Dream Green is one of few facilities in the New England area that has the certification, making it easier for customers to recycle their computer devices locally instead of shipping it outside the county or state.
"With us being able to do it locally reduces the carbon footprint and the emissions. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, we're recycling, but we're shipping it all the way to Rhode Island or New Jersey or out of the state.' And it's like, yeah, you're recycling, but you're really not lowering the carbon footprint because you have that tractor trailer truck or the 18 wheeler that's going over the trail and burning up all those emissions," Danforth said. "So yeah, you're recycling, but in the long scheme of things, you're creating a larger footprint trying to do the right thing,"
The team plans to expand on their certification to include on-site data destruction as well as solid state scrubbing to be able to upcycle the product.
"As we grow, we just listen to what the community lacks and try to fulfill those issues and stuff like that, help solve problems along the way. So this was someone who came to us and said something about how it was hard to do stuff with the E waste, and that's why we diversified in it," Danforth said.
Dream Green is EPA Section 608 certified, which means they are also able to handle refrigerants like refrigerators and air conditioning units.
"Our end goal is we want to be the facility like your scrap yard or your transfer station, where we are the one stop shop for recycling," Danforth said.
Kennedy agreed, "our job is to divert as much material from a landfill as possible. We try to divert as much trash from going to a landfill as possible. That's our main objective of Dream Green Recycling."
Dream Green Recycling opened in late 2023 and provides local drop-off and pickup from its locations at 15 Print Works Drive, Adams, and Downing Industrial Park in Pittsfield. It recycles mattresses, tires, televisions and more.
Marie's Closes on North Street
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery closed its doors for the last time Friday, Feb. 27.
Co-owners Neil Davis and Ashley Marie announced their closure on the Facebook on the following Sunday.
"Bringing Marie's to life every day brought us incredible joy, from renovating the space, to opening a gallery, and of course, to preparing wholesome and tasty food for you, which is what we did best. We truly thank you so much for being a part of it."
The gallery held its ribbon-cutting two years ago at its space at 148 North St. The eatery and gallery had grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items.
The two had opened their eatery in the former Maria’s European Delights, paying homage to her through their name and certain menu items.
Financial Planner Specializes in Health-Care Professionals
WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. — Nate Tomkiewicz, a certified financial planner, specializes in providing fiduciary investment management and comprehensive financial planning, with a primary focus on health-care professionals within 10 years of retirement.
Established in May 2025, Tomkiewicz Wealth Management is a registered investment advisory firm.
"I founded Tomkiewicz Wealth Management to cut through the noise and provide the kind of specific, high-level guidance that health-care professionals deserve," said Tomkiewicz. "These are people who spend their careers — their lives — caring for others. My goal is to care for their financial future, ensuring they can transition from a high-stress career to a comfortable retirement."
After nearly a decade working in the financial services industry, Tomkiewicz founded his own firm to offer personalized, client-first experience. Tomkiewicz Wealth Management was built to address the unique complexities faced by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who often juggle demanding careers with intricate benefit packages, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, he said.
The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. These services include strategies for retirement income, investment management, benefit optimization, tax planning, and planning for health-care costs.
Tomkiewicz Wealth Management serves clients in New York's Capital Region, Berkshire County, and virtually across the country.
For more information visit tomkiewiczwm.com or call 518-219-7323.
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