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The petitioners pointed to the nationwide trend of skyrocketing egg prices as supporting evidence for the need of residential chickens.

Pittsfield Health Board Says 'No' to Chicken Permit Responsibilities

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health does not agree with putting chicken permitting under its purview just to reduce the cost.

For months, Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowsky and resident Melissa Corbett have been trying to move the permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals to the Health Department because of permitting costs. Keeping six chickens currently clocks in at more than $500 and the petitioners say it could be a $25 fee under the Health Department.

Director of Public Health Andy Cambi and Health Board members are concerned that this new responsibility would overtax the department and do not see cost as a valid reason to make the change. This was restated on Wednesday.

"The idea that the recording fee is the biggest challenge and the financial cost is exorbitant seems like the issue to address," Chair Bobbie Orsi said. "So that I think is where this could go next."

Members suggested looking at the cost's source, which includes a deed attachment on the owner's home. Kalinowksy insists that her proposal is the only way to dramatically reduce the fee and it would not be too much of a burden on the department.

She said Police Chief Michael Wynn does not have a problem with the animal control officer responding to chicken complaints and citing people.  

There have been about 15 complaints in the past five years but board member Kimberly Loring argued that there may be more chicken owners -- and, therefore, more possible conflicts -- if the process is made cheaper.

Cambi found that most surrounding communities permit chickens under the ZBA and could not find any resources for subsidizing the financial piece. He believes that financial hardships with all permits should be addressed.

"It shouldn't be specific to one permit because a lot of our residents might have financial hardships with other permits," Cambi said.


"So I think finding a solution for all those situations would be good."

BOH members clarified that they are sympathetic to the cause of the petition but just want to make sure that all decisions are made in the best interest of public health.

"I have difficulty saying ‘Oh yeah, I think you guys should do it' because it's solely because of a financial hardship issue," Brad Gordon said.

"And that doesn't mean that we're insensitive to that financial hardship issue, it's just that I don't know if that's the most effective way to address it and it may inadvertently create other challenges or problems for the department itself."

Since the permit is a zoning function, he would rather address the underlying issue of cost that is directly linked to the recording requirement.

"I don't want to speak for everyone, but I think it sounds like we're developing consensus here that we don't think it belongs here," Gordon said.

"Yet we have empathy for and concern for the situation you're describing and I certainly would continue to problem solve with you."

Member Steve Smith said it would be a "sidestep" for the board to change the permitting authority rather than being part of an effort to change it.

"I'm not insensitive to the financial cost of this at all," he added.

"But I don't know, to me, it's still like people have said already, it's not an urgent public health issue. For me, it would tend to dilute some of the things that we're trying to accomplish."


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North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
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