2022 State of the County Report Released

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Berkshire Leadership Impact Council, has released the Berkshire Benchmarks 2022 State of the County Report. 
 
This report summarizes data and trends that help identify the region's successes and challenges.
 
Throughout the last two years, more than 100 individuals and community organizations from throughout Berkshire County have worked to identify indicators to track how the region is performing across eight sectors: Economy, Education, Environment, Government, Health, Housing, Social Environment, and Transportation. 
 
A revamped BerkshireBenchmarks.org website highlights these indicators.
 
This report demonstrates that the region has seen successes over the last few years. These successes include an increase in income, a decrease in poverty and unemployment, a healthier environment, and increased stability of the young adult population, according to a press release. 
 
Yet the region also faces challenges, BRPC stated in a press release. Children struggled academically during the pandemic. Housing is getting less affordable to many low and middle-income residents. Behavioral health challenges are getting worse, and there is an increase in reports of families in distress. Many of the indicators show disparities in the county when looking at the data by race and ethnicity. 
 
"The 2022 State of the County Report shows areas in which the region has made strides to improve, such as the retention of the young adult population," said BRPC Data Manager Mark Maloy, "but the report also shows areas that need improvement, such as housing affordability. By working together for the common good, we can address many of the challenges we face in Berkshire County."
 
The State of the County Report 2022 is available online at BerkshireBenchmarks.org.

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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.

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