Pittsfield Parade Committee Turns Focus to 2024

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Parade Committee has begun looking to raise funds to make next year's parade possible. 
 
"We have much to do as a committee to complete work on this year's parade, but we've accomplished our monetary goals to meet our budget which we intend to keep as creative as we intend it to be as you'll see," said Committee Chairman Pete Marchetti.  
 
The Committee requires more than $100,000 to put the show together with balloons, bands and professional consulting fees being the leading line items.  
 
According to Marchetti, "balloons, which includes helium, and bands which require shelter, are our most requested units." 
 
Other expenses include insurance, banners, the booklet, supplies, etc.
                
"We don't want to relinquish control from our all-volunteer committee to a municipal led organization," said Marchetti, adding, "if that were to happen, we'd be relinquishing creative control which comes from direct response to the public."  
 
Donations may be made through the website, pittsfieldparade.com, mailed to PO Box 1738 Pittsfield MA 01202. Donations of $25 or more will receive a free parade poster.  
 
The committee welcomes but must approve fund raising events.  Ideas are welcome. One may call the parade headquarters at 413-447-7763 with questions, ideas or concerns or attend the remaining meetings for this year's parade at the Polish Falcons on Belair Ave in Pittsfield at 7pm on 5/17 and 31; 6/7, 14 and 28.
 

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Housing Planned for Former St. Joe's High School

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nearly a decade after the facility last operated as a high school, the former Saint Joseph's is staged for new life as housing. 

Last week, the Community Development Board determined that subdivision approval was not required for a plan of land the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield submitted for 22 Maplewood Ave.

CT Management Group is under contract to purchase the property for conversion into market-rate housing, developer David Carver confirmed on Monday when contacted by iBerkshires. The closing date and related matters are in process. 

In 2017, the then 120-year-old St. Joseph Central High School ceased operations. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it sheltered people without homes before The Pearl, a 40-bed downtown shelter, was finished a few years ago. 

Brian Koczela of BEK Associates, who submitted the plan on behalf of the diocese, explained to the board that the diocese is conveying out the former St. Joseph's High School. (The bishop is listed as owner on deeds on behalf of the church.)

The high school is comprised of four parcels with different owner in the middle, he said, and they need to be combined for the conveyance. This refers to the transfer and assignment of a property right or interest from one individual or entity to another. 

"At the very southerly end, at the back of the high school, there's a 66-foot-wide strip, I believe, and that strip goes all the way from North Street to Maplewood, and it includes a rectory," Koczela explained.  

"In essence, what we're really doing is just separating out that small parcel from the rectory."

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