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Christian Center's Food Director Karen Ryan, an Easter bunny who looks a lot like Financial Director Pat Masoero, and volunteer Nancy Gardner
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Staff and volunteers get ready for Easter lunch at the Christian Center.

Pittsfield Christian Center Spreads Easter Joy

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Christian Center spread Easter joy to 100 children with goodie baskets in advance of the holiday.

The center was decked out in pastel on Friday for its annual Easter festivities. Financial Director Pat Masoero brought out her bunny costume, which was accessorized with an egg necklace, plaid suspenders, and a matching bow tie.

While the basket handout ran from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., people were lined up at the center’s door at 8:30.

"It really was a fun two hours," Masoero said.

About 55 were handed out in the morning and, at noon, the center hosted a lunch of mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, glazed carrots, ham or fish, rolls, and cakes. During the meal, baskets were also available.

Food Director Karen Ryan said the extra baskets would be sent to the Berkshire Family YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club, meaning that they have distributed 100.


At the center, children were happily eating chocolate and other festive treats.

"We had a bunch of candy, we had chocolate bunnies, stuffed animals, eggs filled with jelly beans," Ryan said.

The Christian Center has been holding Easter activities for as long as the two can remember. Masoero has been with the organization for 25 years and Ryan for 13.

For Mother's Day, it will be holding a dinner and raffle.

The nonprofit has offered food, clothing, and access to necessary resources for those in need for more than 100 years. For more information visit, www.christiancenterpittsfield.org.


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Pittsfield Subcommittee Considers E-Bike Safety

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Some city councilors want to explore ways to encourage safe e-bike use. 

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules Subcommittee discussed the request by Councilor At Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids. 

Amuso has received reports of kids riding motorized bikes at 15 to 20 mph on the sidewalk while people are trying to back out of their driveways, and she fears someone might get hurt.  

She said that if they could start with some basics, such as riding with traffic in bike lanes and requiring operators under 16 to wear helmets, it would address most of the calls. 

"Do I think we need to put 10 police on trying to find e-bikes throughout the city? I don't," she said. "But there are enough calls that I'm getting, and other councilors are getting, that we have to say, ‘OK, what can we do?’ And we have a lot of bike lanes in Pittsfield, and the e-bikes and all bikes should be in the bike lanes, not on the sidewalk."

The petition was tabled so that the Department of Public Works can study it and gather further information.  

In Massachusetts, an e-bike with a top speed of 20 mph and a motor of 750 watts or less is classified as a traditional bicycle. State law defines two e-bike classes: 

  • "Class 1 electric bicycle" is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
     
  • "Class 2 electric bicycle" is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of assisting when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.

Riders 16 years or younger must wear a helmet by law.  

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