1Berkshire Announces Staff Promotions

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire announced the promotions of staff members Benjamin Lamb and Kristen Harrington effective April 1, 2023, in recognition of their achievements, contributions and dedication to the organization and its initiatives throughout Berkshire County.
 
Promotions
 
Benjamin Lamb has been promoted to Vice President of Economic Development. This promotion follows five years building the economic development team and expanding the 1Berkshire footprint of activities and overall work. 
 
Hired in 2018 as the Economic Development Projects Manager, Lamb was promoted to Director of Economic Development a short time later. In his new position, Lamb will continue to lead and expand the outreach of 1Berkshire through its economic development in Berkshire County. Lamb currently resides in North Adams with his wife, two young children, and a dog.
 
Kristen Harrington has been promoted to Finance & Administration Coordinator, a title that reflects her new responsibilities in accounting and internal operations, and as property liaison. Harrington is integral to office functions that touch all departments. 
 
Previously, Harrington functioned as the Accounting Specialist for 1Berkshire, a position she had held since 2019. She joined the Berkshire Visitors Bureau as a Finance Associate in 2015, and a year later, in a merger resulting in the creation of 1Berkshire, Harrington was named Accounting Associate. 
 
Harrington currently lives in Pittsfield with her husband, and has two adult children, as well as a dog and two cats.
 
"Our success as an organization is dependent upon the commitment, talent and passion of our team members," Jonathan Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of 1Berkshire said. "Kristen and Ben are strong examples of the best we have to offer at 1Berkshire. Both have been with the organization for many years and have consistently demonstrated a selfless approach to helping the Berkshires become a stronger community."

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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments. 

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work. 

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks. 

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed. 

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.  

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.

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