Lanesborough Police Department Moves to Temporary Location

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Lanesborough Police Department has officially moved to its temporary location at 545 South Main St., as the department still waits for a brand-new station. 

The department's been slowly transferring items in over the past days and, with Monday's installation of a landline, the police have officially moved in.

The move, official as of Aug. 1, comes after the $65,000 lease for the temporary space was approved by the Select Board in April. Necessary work for the location was minimal, meaning the department was able to begin the process of moving in soon after. 

"I'm very appreciative to everyone that contributed to this project," said Police Chief Robert Derksen. "And obviously, the officials and residents of Lanesborough for supporting us and giving us a much more functional and safer environment for the next couple of years, while we plan on building the new facility." 

The Police Station Building Committee proposed the space as a temporary location while formulating plans for a new station. The group made finding the department a temporary location, as it waits for the new station, a priority.

"We can pat ourselves on the back for what we've accomplished so far. It's a huge piece, but it's also a smaller piece of the picture of a new building," said Committee Chair Kristen Tool of the temporary station at a meeting last month. She noted signage for the building should be ready during August. 

Plans for the new station are still ongoing, as the committee recently got permission to explore other sites for the project, looking last week at the former Skyline Country Club. The group is also working with EMS Director Jennifer Weber to get the town's emergency services involved with the project, which could allow for more grant opportunities.

The future of the previous police station at 8 Prospect St. is still undecided. The Police Station Building Committee discovered in March the property has a deed restriction requiring the town to maintain it as a public park. 

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.