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One set of lights at North and Linden streets are stuck on flashing yellow. The city hopes to have that fixed by Wednesay.

Pittsfield Officials Warn of Malfunctioning Light at North, Linden

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The traffic light at the intersection of Linden and North streets has been flashing yellow signals since Monday. 

And it will take the manufacturer of the traffic light to fix the issue.

"It doesn't happen often that we have to call the manufacturer," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

Morales is urging motorists to treat the flashing light as a stop sign — stop at the intersection and when it is safe to go, to proceed with caution.

The city has three steps of troubleshooting these types of issues. First there were attempts to fix the light before calling a called a contractor onto the site. The contractor was able to isolate some issues and rule out potential causes for the flashing, but ultimately could not get it fixed. Then the manufacturer was called.

"It's a bit unusual," Morales said. "[Contractors] are pretty well versed in what they do, so when that happened that's when we called the manufacturer and had them scheduled to come in and basically they fabricate that piece of equipment so they can do a deep dive into and fix the problem."

As of right now, Morales plans to have the manufacturer arrive on the scene Wednesday and, hopefully, have the light fixed within a few hours. For the duration of the repairs, there will be a police detail to direct traffic.

Witnesses reported a small accident between two trucks around 3:30 p.m. at that intersection. Those involved were able to pull into the parking lot behind Rent A Center to get out of traffic and exchange information. Police reported there was no major damage and no one was injured.

At the same time, Pittsfield is in the midst of a snowstorm that expects to accumulate up to 6 inches, causing slippery roads and reduced visibility. Because of this, drivers should proceed with extra precaution.



 


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BCC Wins Grant for New Automatic External Defibrillator

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $2,326 grant, funded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, for the purchase of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device. 
 
The grant specifically covers a device for use inside one of BCC's security vehicles for easy access when traversing the campus.  
 
In total, the Commonwealth awarded more than $165,000 in grant funding to 58 municipalities,
13 public colleges and universities, and nine nonprofits to purchase AEDs for emergency response vehicles. The program is designed to increase access to lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies, when every second matters.  
 
An AED is a medical device used to support people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. An AED analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.  
 
"Immediate access to AEDs is vital to someone facing a medical crisis. By expanding availability statewide, we're equipping first responders with the necessary tools to provide lifesaving emergency care for patients," said Governor Maura Healey. "This essential equipment will enhance the medical response for cardiac patients across Massachusetts and improve outcomes during an emergency event."  
 
The funds were awarded through a competitive application process conducted by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).  
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