Local Councils on Aging Helping Seniors Make Vaccination Appointments

DALTON, Mass. -- Berkshire County seniors are being assisted by their local Councils on Aging to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments electronically.

The Dalton COA began assisting elders without computer or internet access on Jan. 27 and Director Kelly Pizzi said about 300 people per business day have been helped to secure an appointment.  Recipients of the service range from Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, Pittsfield, Lenox, Savoy, Lanesborough, and Cheshire.

The Dalton and Pittsfield Councils on Aging, as well as many other COAs, have partnered with the Berkshire County Boards of Health to help seniors ages 75 and older register for their vaccines.  There are three large community clinics they are able to access: W.E.B. Dubois Middle School in Great Barrington, Berkshire Community College Paterson Field House in Pittsfield, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Hall in North Adams. 

"In order to maintain independence and autonomy with people who have computers, we have assisted by walking people through the registration screens which is eight pages long," Pizzi said. "Unfortunately a lot of people in this age group do not have access to the internet or know how to use a computer."

Pizzi reported that although requests seem to be tapering a bit for first appointments, the agencies are now fielding calls for both first and second dosages of the vaccine. She said seniors have been so grateful for the assistance. Many were so frustrated from just trying to access the registration home page that by the time they called the COA, she said, they were nearly ready to give up the vaccine even though they had been desperate for the opportunity to get one.

"COVID-19 has been very difficult for this population," Pizzi said. "Some of the people we have been speaking with have not left their homes since mid-March 2020 when Gov. [Charlie] Baker issued the Safer at Home advisory. They just want to be able to see their friends, family and hug their grandchildren."

Executive Director of Dalton Housing Authority Susan Gregory said the housing authority has been distributing notices to all of its tenants to point them in the right direction for vaccination.

She was glad to report that several tenants had already secured vaccination appointments, but said they do have a segment of the public housing population that will need help. Gregory also suggests that family members with a computer assist seniors with the online registration.

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.