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Madison Puppolo of Hoosac Valley High School, Conor Burt of Wahconah Regional High School, and Aaron Cassavant of Pittsfield High School each received $2,000 for their college education in honor of the man who was an inspiration to many.
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Madison Puppolo will be studying criminal justice and playing softball at Herkimer College in New York.
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Conor Burt will be studying criminal justice at Franklin Pierce University.
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Aaron Cassavant will be studying fire science at Berkshire Community College.

Iron Mike Polidoro Scholarship Given to Three Local High School Graduates

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Three local high school graduates were awarded the “Iron Mike Polidoro Scholarship" created in honor of Pittsfield Fire Department's former Deputy Chief Michael Polidoro, who passed away on March 30 after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
 
On Tuesday, a small ceremony was held at the Pittsfield Fire Department headquarters where the recipients received the scholarships.  Friends and family of Polidoro gathered for the occasion.
 
“He was an icon in the Pittsfield Fire Department and in Massachusetts," Fire Chief Thomas Sammons said. “It's great that the generosity of our community poured out and we are able to do this."
 
The award is given to Berkshire County high-school seniors wishing to pursue a career in the fire department, law enforcement, or emergency health service fields.  It was created by his wife  Donna and other family members to continue his legacy in younger generations.
 
Madison Puppolo of Hoosac Valley High School, Conor Burt of Wahconah Regional High School, and Aaron Cassavant of Pittsfield High School each received $2,000 for their college education in honor of the man who was an inspiration to many.
 
Puppolo will be studying criminal justice and playing softball at Herkimer College in New York, Burt will be studying criminal justice at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, and Cassavant will be studying fire science at Berkshire Community College.
 
Polidoro served in the department for 28 years and continued to help out when possible. He'd been a member of the region's hazardous materials team and had spent time at the World Trade Center during recovery operations after the Sept. 11 attacks and volunteered in the aftermath of other disasters, including Hurricane Katrina.
 
He retired in 2017 after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.  In 2019, Engine 6 was dedicated to Polidoro and renamed “Poly's Pride."
 
After being diagnosed with ALS, he teamed up with Lee Police Chief Jeffery Roosa, who also has ALS and retired earlier this year, to raise funds and awareness of the disease through  "Arrest and Extinguish ALS" events. An event in 2019 in Lenox raised $50,000.
 
Between various fundraisers, the department was able to raise around $20,000 for the scholarship fund.  One of which was crossfit fundraiser held by Pittsfield firefighter Jamie Law, owner of Crossfit Pittsfield.
 
“We were able to develop a workout that had some numbers involved for his career," Law said. “And when we tried to raise as much money to go to a local legend, I think they rose to the occasion and was able to do that."
 
Next year, the Iron Mike Polidoro Scholarships will be given to two graduating seniors and two Pittsfield firefighters for career advancement.
 
Beginning in the fall, the Massachusetts Association of Hazardous Materials is also recognizing Polidoro by naming an award after him because of his achievements in the HAZMAT department.
 
Members of the Pittsfield Fire Department said that the depth of Polidoro's character was amazing between being knowledgeable, hard-working, and caring.
 

Tags: ALS,   fire department,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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