Pittsfield Health Board to Make Action Plan for Cell Tower

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Some Board of Health members are eager to create an action plan for the 877 South St. cell tower.

Since the 115-foot, Verizon tower was erected in August 2020, neighbor Courtney Gilardi has reported negative health effects and says she is living in alternate temporary housing because of it. She and her daughter, Amelia Gilardi, have regularly spoken during the open microphone segment of city meetings since.

"It's been a long time since all of this has started and there's a lot of information out there to get our hands and heads around," Chair Bobbie Orsi said.

"I don't have a really clear idea about what our next step is, although it still seems to me that while the health issues are still there, and the science is good around cell towers causing problems,  it just seems like the best thing to do is make them shut it off but before we take that step we need to get our ducks in a row."

Orsi was to meet with Mayor Linda Tyer on Friday to see where the city stands on the situation and discuss the next possible steps. She recognizes that there is still a lot of research to be done but believes it is the board's duty to address public health concerns such as this.

The chair sees two possible options: an emergency stop order or an executive order to cease and desist or a negotiated settlement between the cellular company, the city, and affected parties.

"We can't just keep saying we'll do it next month, I think we have to just do something, shake the tree and see what falls," she said.

Fellow board members were in agreement.

The City Council has also taken up the issue. That same month, the councilors voted to send a letter to Attorney General Maura Healey requesting an investigation on the permitting process for the tower.

After Orsi's conversation with Tyer, the board plans to either hold an additional meeting or discuss the next steps at the January meeting.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.