Christian Center Warming Shelter Will Open This Week

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The two halves of the daytime warming shelter at the Christian Center arrived this week and the hope is to have the shelter up and running by Monday.. 

The shelter is a 24-by-60 foot trailer similar to the ones used as temporary classrooms by school districts will offer housing insecure folks a warm place to reside in the hours that ServiceNet's shelter at the former St. Joseph's High School is closed.

St. Joe's shelter is open 24 hours on the weekend but closes from 8 to 4 on weekdays with the exception of days when the temperature is below 20 degrees. The warming shelter will be open from 9 to 3 on weekdays providing lunches to guests while ServiceNet staffs the operation.

Director Betsy Sherman the trailer had been expected to be fully set up and electricity turned on between by Friday. It was originally set to arrive on Jan. 18, but although the trailer was ready for delivery at that time, it has been delayed by weather.

"Putting the two pieces onto the site and together was more complicated than we thought," she said on Friday evening. "Too much snow and very tight fit! Last update I had today was they would be finished  and it would be inspected this weekend  so hopefully Monday."

The trailer came in two large sections, Sherman said earlier this week, with each on a "wide load" trailer with accompanying cars and police. By law, the trailers are not allowed on the highways if there is any snow, even flurries, which has caused the delay.

Sherman said she has been in contact with the company multiple times a day tracking the progress.

"It is frustrating but just the way it is," she said. "When it arrives, we have everything set up for installation."

In the meantime, the Christian Center has been operating a consultation space next to its building at 183-185 Robbins Ave. Sherman said that if they have unsheltered folks out and about, they will open one side of the building for them while maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and using sanitizers.

During the pandemic, the Christian Center has partnered with the city and most of the agencies that are handling the homeless and at risk of being homeless population. Over the summer, they put together a group with different service agencies such as Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority and ServiceNet to provide counseling services to housing insecure individuals with the intent of securing housing and accessing needs.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

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.