BCC Announces New, Returning Staff

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of three new staff members and two staff members returning to BCC after a hiatus necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 

New to BCC  

Gabriella Martinez has joined BCC as a Clerk IV for the SUCCESS Program (Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services). A native to Berkshire County, Martinez attended American International College (AIC), where she earned her B.A. in sociology and worked in the Student Affairs Office. In her free time, Martinez enjoys hiking with her dog or doing yoga.  
 
Sean Reagan has joined the BCC Academic Advising & Transfer team as an Academic Counselor. He arrives from Holyoke Community College, where he had been teaching English and journalism for ten years. Reagan is a graduate of Saint Michael's College and Western New England University School of Law, and he also holds an M.F.A. from Goddard College. He lives in Cummington with his wife, three children, two horses and a flock of geriatric chickens. When not teaching and advising, he spends his time gardening and hiking. 
 
Ross Ryan has joined BCC as a Database Analyst. He attended New York University and Columbia College in Chicago. Ryan brings experience he gained while working at Crane & Company in Pittsfield, starting as a designer and working his way up to the positions of Senior Systems Analyst and Database Administrator. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and painting. 
 
 
Returning to BCC  
 
Eric Nystrom has returned to BCC as an Academic Success Coach through the SUCCESS grant. Nystrom has been with BCC in a variety of roles since 2005, when he started as the coordinator for the Fitness Center. He has been an adjunct faculty member and served as Interim Director of Recreation Services before assisting as Special Projects Coordinator at Paterson Field House. Nystrom graduated from Nichols College with a bachelor's degree in psychology and received his master's degree in counseling psychology. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. 
 
Patricia Wright has returned to BCC as a Maintainer I for Facilities in the Administration and Finance Division. Previously, she worked at BCC as a Maintainer II evening shift supervisor. Wright, who goes by "PJ" to family and friends, grew up in Sheffield, MA and currently lives in Pittsfield with her husband Lee. Her interests include reading, gardening and spending time with her dog Indy. 

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Pittsfield Proposes 2.64 Tax Rate Hike

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2027 is less than 40 cents per $1,000 valuation for residential properties and would increase the average property tax bill by about $146 per year. 

On Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda is a request from the mayor and Board of Assessors to use a residential factor of .8245 at a shift of 1.75, resulting in a residential tax rate of $17.88 and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.95.

These matters are typically referred to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation. The proposed rates for residential and commercial are 38 cents and $1.05 more, respectively, from FY26. 

The average residential home, valued at $316,792 in FY27, has increased by about $1,500 from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $5,664.24 in yearly taxes.

This is a 2.64 percent, or $145.88, increase. 

The average commercial property worth $239,600 saw a $100 increase in value from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $9,092.82 in yearly taxes. This is a $255.27, or 2.89 percent, increase from the previous fiscal year. 

The FY27 tax levy of $124,468,317 is a $5.3 million increase from the previous year, or 4.45 percent. There is about  $388,000 in excess levy capacity, $2.3 million in new growth, and the levy limit is $124,856,412. 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 11 single-family homes were added to Pittsfield's housing stock this fiscal year, increasing the city's total assessed value by $19,987,600 to $3,592,737,600. 

The city lost five two-family homes in 2027, and that housing type decreased by $3.2 million in assessed value, now worth $384,620,400. 

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