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A section of East Street was closed on Monday after an accident left a motorcyclist seriously injured.

Pittsfield Man Killed in Monday's Motorcycle-SUV Crash

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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The crash occurred at the Newell Street intersection.
Update at 6:10 p.m.: The motorcyclist involved in Monday morning's collision on East Street has died.
 
The victim was identified as Stanley Dipietro, 65, of Pittsfield, according to the Berkshire district attorney's office.
 
The DA's office states the preliminary investigation shows that a 2013 Harley Davidson operated by Dipietro was traveling east on East Street, entered the intersection with Newell Street, and collided head-on into a 2002 Honda CRV operated by 78-year-old Susan Shepardson, also of Pittsfield, who was turning left on Newell Street.
 
Action Ambulance transported Dipietro to Berkshire Medical Center, where he later died. Action Ambulance transported Shepardson and her passenger, Bruce Shepardson, 86, of Pittsfield, to BMC for injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.
 
The Pittsfield Police Traffic Unit is investigating the collision. Police ask anyone who witnessed the collision or the actions of either vehicle to contact Officer David Hallas at 413-448-9700, Ext. 560.

This is at least the fourth fatality involving a motorcycle this spring and the fifth with injuries.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A motorcyclist is in serious condition after colliding with a sport utility vehicle on Monday morning on East Street.

 
The accident occurred at about 10:50 a.m. at the intersection of East Street and Newell Street. The rider was taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center.
 
The street was From around 11 am to at least 1:45 pm 
 
The East was blocked off from Teo's to the intersection  ]with Merrill Road and from the intersection of Newell Street and Parkside Avenue from around 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. 
 
Pittsfield Police Sergeant Marc Maddalena said it was an "understatement" to say the motorcyclist is in serious condition.
 
The two occupants of the Honda CRV were also transported to Berkshire Medical Center but with non-life-threatening injuries.
 
According to police, the SUV was reportedly westbound on East Street and turning onto Newell Street and the motorcycle was eastbound when the crash occurred.
 
At the scene, the motorcycle was seen on its side, the SUV had severe damage to the front end where it collided with the bike, and debris was on the ground.
 
The collision is still under investigation to determine which party is at fault.
 
Police said further information was expected to be released later Monday.

Tags: motorcycles,   MVI,   

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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