Governor Names Director of Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation

08:00AM / Saturday, September 23, 2023Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced the appointment of Paul Jahnige as the first Director of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR).

The EEA established the Office in December 2022 to elevate and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts and the associated benefits to the economy, health, environment, and quality of life. Jahnige will work alongside state agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership (MMP), and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT). He starts on Sept. 25.

"Massachusetts has exceptional beaches, trails, and parks, and it's critical they're accessible and available to all residents. Paul Jahnige will be instrumental in advancing transformative outdoor recreational opportunities across the state, with a focus on equity," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "His experience demonstrates his commitment to merging recreation with stewardship and conservation, which will shape our environmental landscape for generations."

"I'm honored and excited to step into this new role as the Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to take meaningful action in preserving and protecting our natural resources for all residents to enjoy all year long," added Jahnige. "Outdoor recreation is not only critical for our physical, mental, and social health but also for Massachusetts' economic health. I look forward to working alongside other state agencies, private and non-profit partners to get people outside to play in Massachusetts."

Paul Jahnige comes from the DCR, where he recently served as the Greenways and Trails Program Director. He has twenty-five years of experience working in environmental restoration and community development. Following a Masters in Environmental Studies from Yale and overseas work in Ecuador and Kenya, Paul founded Community Resources, an urban environmental non-profit that develops programs in minority, low-income communities across cities in the Mid-Atlantic. He is an outdoorsman and youth coach who lives in Williamsburg with his wife and three children.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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