Lanesborough Public Safety Committee to Query Residents on Rejected Proposal

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Public Safety Building Committee wants to know specifics of why residents voted down the nearly $6 million dollar police and EMS complex in March.

About a month into its work, the reconstituted committee is mapping out a survey for this purpose.

"This committee was criticized for not being transparent and not having the public involved," Chair Mark Siegars said about the now-dissolved Police Station Committee. "And we're going to just go the opposite direction."

On Tuesday, the panel approved a drafted survey that queries residents on their attendance or lack of attendance at the special town meeting in March where the vote was made, if they voted for or against the proposal, and if the committee should present more public information.

Utilizing Zip 'N Sort mail services, they plan to send the survey out to registered voters and have it available at Town Hall, at the annual town meeting on June 13, and on election day on June 20.

Included in the ATM warrant is a vote to appropriate and transfer $40,000 from the town's stabilization fund for the redesign of the new public safety building. Because $108,000 was approved at last year's ATM and has not been used, it will not create an additional burden on the taxpayers.

"So it is no new taxes," Siegars said. "It already sits there to be used on the police station."

The funds will go toward a geotechnical survey to determine if the former Skyline Country Club at 405 South Main St. is suitable for building.

Also during the meeting, member Eric Harrington defined a path forward for the committee.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.