Pittsfield Council to See $205M FY24 Budget Proposal

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:39AM / Monday, May 08, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2024 is almost $17,000,000, or 8.9 percent higher, than the previous year at $188,822,018.

On Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda is an order to raise and appropriate a total of $205,634,497 for the FY24 budget beginning July 1. This begins the council's process of departmental spending deliberations with a budget adoption before the new fiscal year begins.

Mayor Linda Tyer is proposing the use of $1 million in free cash to lower the tax rate.

The total budget also an enterprise total of $18,195,586, with $6,199,738 for DPU water treatment, $1,002,156 for sewer, and $10,993,692 for DPU wastewater.

The operating budget includes $255,797 for the mayor's office, $14.364,673 for the Police Department, $11,095, 563 for the department of public services, and $60,092,255 in unclassified.

Last week, the School Committee approved a $78,088,016 FY24 budget that was reduced by $220,000 after a conversation with the mayor. With school choice and Richmond tuition funds, the total is $78,558,016.

Reductions include the $100,000 line item to replace Chromebook computers, $22,000 from the Career Technical Education supplies, $5,000 from the curriculum and instruction account, and the relocation of a $95,000 social emotional learning coordinator to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds.

The school budget is a $5,689,754 increase from last year's appropriation of $72,398,262 with more than 85 percent of the increase allocated for special education instruction and support, Career Technical Education/career pathways, and contractual obligations.

The mayor will also present a five-year capital improvement plan that details some $308 million in investments in infrastructure, equipment and technology. The proposal prioritizes roads, parks and recreation, facilities, and modern information technology. Last year's budget adoption was not a walk in the park.

Before the final approval, Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick halted the council's vote on the $189 million fiscal 2023 budget with a charter objection, voiding all of the recommended amendments that were made to the proposal over four nights of deliberations.

These included an additional $1,000 to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) that he proposed, $65,000 for school maintenance, $50,000 to the building inspector's department, and a recommendation for the Pittsfield Police to earmark up to $250,000 in grant money to have additional clinicians as co-responders.

The original proposal of $188,589,144 was adopted by default but there was confusion about whether or not the city would have a budget for the fiscal year.

Tyer called a press conference to explain that, though the city had a budget by default, she had the option to amend it to include the $116,000 in increases. She said the charter objection caused a bit of "manufactured chaos" and was not expected.

On June 28, the added increases were adopted just two days before the new fiscal year.

Tags: fiscal 2024, pittsfield_budget,

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Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Officially Become Trailmark Bank

Staff Reports11:20AM / Tuesday, November 03, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the successful legal closing of their merger, marking a milestone in the formation of Trailmark Bank.

The merger officially took effect on Nov. 1, 2026, bringing the two longstanding community banks together as one financial institution under the Trailmark Bank name.

The legal closing follows receipt of all required regulatory and governance approvals, including approvals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

"Today marks an exciting new chapter for our employees, customers and communities," said Julie Fallon Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of Trailmark Bank. "Trailmark Bank brings together two community banks with deep roots in the Berkshires, shared values and a longstanding commitment to the people and communities we serve. We are proud of what each bank brings to this partnership and excited about what we can accomplish together."

Trailmark Bank is an independent, community-focused bank with approximately $1.5 billion in assets, nearly 200 employees and full-service banking locations across Berkshire County. The merger combines the resources, expertise, and capabilities of two established community banks while preserving the personalized service, strong relationships and local decision-making customers have long valued, stated a press release.

Beginning Nov. 1, Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank will operate as divisions of Trailmark Bank. The combined bank will officially open for business as Trailmark Bank on Monday, Dec. 7, with customers gaining access to all branch locations across Berkshire County.

Until then, customers should continue banking as usual through their existing Adams Community Bank or Pittsfield Cooperative Bank locations and systems, using their current checks, debit and ATM cards, online and mobile banking, and other banking services. Late fall, customers will receive detailed information outlining important dates, what to expect and any actions they may need to take.

"The legal merger is an important milestone, but it is also another step in a carefully planned transition," said Gregg Levante, President of Trailmark Bank. "Our focus throughout this process has been making the transition as smooth as possible for our customers while building a stronger community bank for the future. Trailmark Bank gives us greater resources and capabilities while preserving something that matters tremendously to us—the ability to make decisions locally and remain deeply connected to the Berkshires."

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