Three Hospitalized After Merrill Road Car Accident

Staff Reports 08:21AM / Monday, August 14, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Aug. 12, 2023 at approximately 1:00 PM, the Pittsfield Police Dept., Pittsfield Fire Dept. and County Ambulance responded to the area of 635 Merrill Rd for a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries.

A 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck operated by a Mark Papkey, 52 of Pittsfield, was traveling north bound on Merrill Road, when he collided with a south bound 2006 Subaru Forester operated by a Parkpoom Seesangrit, 34 years of age of Pittsfield.

In addition to Mr. Seesangrit, the Subaru was also occupied by Phannee Seesangrit, 61 of Pittsfield, as well as Krobkul Seesangrit, 35 of Pittsfield.

As a result of this incident, Parkpoom Seesangrit and Phannee Seesangrit were transported to BMC for their injuries.

Krobkul Seesangrit was airlifted to Albany Medical Center for treatment of her life threatening injuries.

The two south bound lanes of Merrill Rd were closed to traffic for approximately 3 hours while the investigation into this collision took place and for the roadway to be cleared.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have any information concerning this incident is asked to contact Officer Brandon Gallagher of the Pittsfield Police Dept. at 413-448-9700 ext 549.

Tags: motor vehicle accident,

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Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

10:54AM / Monday, December 29, 2025

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures.

Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).

The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:

All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;
All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and
All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.

To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.

In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated.

"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season."

As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration.

The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:

Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing
Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live
Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents
Create year-round housing for artists
Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment
Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing
Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots
Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence