Flushing of Pittsfield's Water System: Week 3

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Monday, May 9, marks the start of week three for the flushing of the city of Pittsfield's water system. 
 
Water mains throughout the city will be flushed through hydrants to remove accumulations of pipeline corrosion products. Mains will be flushed Monday through Friday each week, except holidays, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
 
For Tuesday, May 10 only, there also will be early morning flushing activity from 3-6 a.m. The impacted area includes South Street/East Housatonic intersection to Charles and Wahconah streets.
 
The upcoming flushing for this week may be expected to affect the following areas:
  • Several locations along Park, King, and Onota streets near Von Nida Street, Walnut Street, West Housatonic Street, Fort Hill Avenue, South Street, and Velma Avenue.
  • All of West Housatonic Street from South Street to Callahan Drive and all neighborhood streets in-between (i.e. Boylston Street, Cadwell Road, Lebanon and Cole avenues).
  • West Street from Park Square continuing to Fort Hill Avenue and all neighborhood streets in-between.
  • Several locations along Center Street, Valentine Road, Pecks Road, Thomas Island, Upper North and outer Wahconah streets, Lakeway Drive, and Linden Street.
  • Hancock Road starting at the North Street intersection which would include the Highland and Ridge avenue neighborhood.
Although flushing may cause localized discolored water and reduced service pressure conditions in and around the immediate area of flushing, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that proper levels of treatment and disinfections are always maintained in the system. 
 
If customers experience discolored water, they should let the water run for a short period to clear it prior to use. If discolored water or low pressure conditions persist, please contact the Water Department at 499-9339.
 

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Healey Gives Municipalities Say on Data Centers, Pittsfield Eyes Moratorium

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Last week, Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order that gives municipalities the power to say 'no' to data centers. 

Pittsfield is drafting a moratorium that bans the facilities until more research can be done.  Holyoke became the first in Massachusetts to ban new data centers in July. 

Healey, during a press conference at the State House on Tuesday, Sept. 8, announced that if a data center proposal doesn't have local approval, state permitting agencies will not advance it.  

"Unless a community says yes to a data center, we are saying no," she said. "We're giving communities a voice and laying out the rules for what needs to happen in Massachusetts. I'm also making sure these data centers use clean energy, and that we protect people from higher energy costs – including by returning money directly back to ratepayers."

The city's Community Development Board has agreed to go forward with a data center moratorium.  City Planner Kevin Rayner told the board in July that he has been working with the city solicitor on a proposed document, which said Pittsfield could allow a data center if it is proven self-sufficient with its own power source. 

Rayner is skeptical of the facilities' power and water usage, as well as heat generation. 

"In my opinion, the smart way to go is just to put a wall, moratorium, up and think about it," he said during the board's meeting on July 7. "We can always take the wall down."

Board member Gary Levante agreed. 

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