BCC Honors Vaccine Collaborative Volunteers, Staff, Supporters

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After six months of work delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to tens of thousands of residents of Berkshire County and beyond, the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative was given a much-needed break. 
 
On Thursday, Aug. 5, Berkshire Community College welcomed volunteers, staff and supporters of the collaborative at a celebration held at the Paterson Field House on BCC's campus. 
 
The celebration honored those who administered vaccines at BCC, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center in North Adams, and the W.E.B. Dubois Middle School in Great Barrington, which often handled hundreds and even thousands of vaccinations per day in the initial phases of the vaccine rollout. 
 
"We're so proud to have worked with the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative in this critical public health initiative," said Andrea Wadsworth, BCC Vice President of Administration and Finance. "We could not have done it without the assistance of the countless people who stepped up to help, often volunteering to work long hours and weekends to get as many people vaccinated as possible. This was a small way of saying thank you." 
 
The event was sponsored by Berkshire Bank, with additional support from Greylock Federal Credit Union. 
 
The Berkshire Vaccination Collaborative is a partnership of the Berkshire County Boards of Health Association, Berkshire Health Systems, Community Health Programs, Northern Berkshire EMS, and public health nurses. For more information, visit www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org

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Pittsfield Police Chief Retiring in January

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police Chief Thomas Dawley will retire next month after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department, and the mayor will appoint his successor. 

Dawley's last day will be on Jan. 9, and he told iBerkshires that it was "just time." He began his law enforcement career in 1995 at the Berkshire County House of Corrections and was appointed police chief in June 2024

"Reasons for leaving are cumulative. I have been in law enforcement for almost 30 years. There is no particular reason for my retirement, I just feel that it is time," he wrote in an email. 

"I love the profession and love this department. The duties, responsibilities and obligations as a Chief are very demanding. It is a lifestyle, not a job. It is a 24/7–365 days a year responsibility." 

According to The Berkshire Eagle, Dawley told Mayor Peter Marchetti of his intention to retire back in April but had kept the decision quiet. Marchetti is expected to choose his successor in the next couple of weeks. 

Dawley, 52, was "honored and humbled" when he was chosen two years ago to succeed Michael Wynn, he said, and he misses being an officer out in the community, as the role of chief is more administrative by nature. He described the officers and civilian staff at the department as "the best of the best" and is proud of the "second to none" dedication, professionalism, and commitment they bring to work every day. 

"Policing is different than it was 10-20 years ago and the profession is being tested daily," he noted. 

"I want a new challenge and preferably something that does not involve law enforcement, but I am definitely not ruling it out!" 

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