Rotary Club of Pittsfield Announces Kagan Award Recipients

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Melissa Mazzeo and Bernie Klem are the 44th recipients of the Dr. David B. Kagan Award.  
 
This award was established in 1977, in memory of Dr. David B. Kagan, a long-time Pittsfield Rotarian and community citizen. 
 
The award has been given annually to one female and one male from Central Berkshire each year, who have made significant contributions to their community through volunteer activities.  
 
The recipients are chosen the Kagan Award Committee Co-Chairs, Edward Forfa and John Hudnall. A $200 stipend to the charity of the recipient's choice and a plaque are awarded.
 
Forfa opened the ceremony held at Mazzeo's Restaurant on June 24th. He introduced Joan Kagan, Dr. Kagan's daughter, who was in attendance. Dave Hall introduced award recipient Bernie Klem, and Joan DiMartino introduced Melissa Mazzeo. 
 
Closing remarks were provided by event co-chair John Hudnall.
 
According to a press release, the awardees activities have created lasting change in the lives of individuals and families in the community. These activities that have made this community a better place to live, work and raise a family.  

Tags: Rotary,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories