image description
The side door at St. Joseph's Church was burned in early August. A parishioner says it happened again.

Pittsfield Police Investigating Attempted Arson at St. Joe

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are investigating an attempted arson that occurred on the property of St. Joseph's Church in the early morning of Aug. 4.

Over half of one of the southern rear doors is charred from top to bottom and part of the window is melted.  There are also signs of char on the ground beneath.

Lt. Gary Traversa reported that the investigation is active and detectives are making progress, but further details need to be withheld to maintain investigative integrity.

Parish attendee attorney John Bernardo said this fire was attempted twice, the second time occurring earlier this week.

Traversa said there has not been a second report of the incident and there is only a report from Aug. 4.  Fire Chief Thomas Sammons said only one fire was reported to his department.



Bernardo is disappointed that this occurrence has not received public attention, he told iBerkshires, and wants the community to be aware of what happened.

A regular churchgoer, he described the act as "atrocious." He speculated that the situation may not be publicized because of city efforts to frame the area as a cultural hub.

"The night before last, they burned the doors again," Bernardo said. "Nobody's doing anything."

Any suspicious activity should be reported to the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700 or on the PPD website.


Tags: arson,   

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

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories