"It can be smart, people have lights on if they want to participate, if they don't then they are not participating," said Chairman Ronald Boucher
Boucher said he had been approached by Fire Chief Carlyle "Chip" Chesbro Jr. about what the town was planning. Chesbro had offered to have the Fire Department do something, perhaps deliver candy to children.
Cities and towns across the state have taken different actions regarding Halloween during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Most have canceled congregate activities such as parades and parties and some have canceled trick or treating outright.
In the Berkshires, which has the lowest level of transmission rate of COVID-19, the tendency is toward allowing trick or treating with cautions. Pittsfield has set hours but is discouraging the door-to-door candy distribution while Adams will have town employees deliver candy by precinct.
After speaking with Board of Health member Cynthia Shock, the board decided to go-ahead with trick or treat.
Shock said the board had discussed Halloween and decided it was OK as long as people deferred to the guide issued at the governor's COVID-19 update on Oct. 5.
"It's important to emphasize that these are recommendations to use one's best discretion to avoid passing COVID-19 on to community members," she said. "That being said the the No. 1 is handing out of candy from residences should be done with clean hands, wash or sanitize ... frequently and no hands in the bag."
One person should be handing out candy and putting it directly in the trick-or-treater's bag, Shock said.
Boucher read out the GHOST guide released by North Adams encouraging trick-or-treaters to socially distance, wear masks, and wash hands. Those who do not feel well should not participate.
"I think that was a prudent recommendation," said board member Danielle Luchi.
Shock was there to inform the town officials that the Board of Health had determined it was safe to reopen Town Hall, the Community Center and the library with limitations of 50 percent occupancy and a maximum of 25 people. This is based on the state moving into Step 2 of Phase 3 in the reopening plan.
"I was looking for is for you guys to come back to us today with a list of protocols that you would hand out to the library, OK, on to the Community Center," she said. "How often do they have to clean high-touch area, for [distance] markers, do you want them to hand sanitizer on their way in?"
Shock said the idea had been to provide the guidelines set out by the state Department of Public Health and let each facility create the strategies they need to operate. The Board of Health would be available to help.
The Select Board asked for more guidance than that.
"I would ask the health department to go in and make sure that they are doing what they need to do. I am not real secure about this leaving it up to them to do it," Boucher said. "I think if it comes directly from you guys saying, 'hey listen, this is what you need to do.' And then once they do it is to check it and inspect it. Make sure it's right."
Shock said she would speak with fellow members Norman Rolnick and Michael Rivers and come back in two weeks. Board members agreed that Nov. 1 would be a suitable date for reopening with the exception of the Community Center. Luchi noted that it will be set up for the election on Nov. 3.
In other business:
The town is looking for someone to replace Mark Denault on the Finance Committee. The committee is appointed by the moderator and currently Boucher is the temporary moderator by acclamation of town meeting. Luchi asked if it would be legal for Boucher to appoint and Town Administrator Rebecca Stone said she had an opinion from town counsel that he could.
Anyone interested in serving on the committee should contact Town Hall.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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.
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