Public Works to Request Monies, Detail Roadwork at Pittsfield City Council

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Tuesday the City Council will see requested funds for Department of Public Services work and an update on various street maintenance projects.

Mayor Peter Marchetti has requested to borrow $650,000.00 under the Sewer Enterprise Fund for the sewer main on Holmes Road and to pay a previous year's expense of almost $49,000 to the DPS following an "administrative oversight."

Marchetti reported that the replacement of the main is necessary to provide sewer access to properties currently without it.

"The approximately 700 feet extension includes installing two deep manholes and will provide sewer access to properties currently without it," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales wrote.

"Work is scheduled to cause minimal disruption and includes necessary restoration of the travel surface."

The cost breaks down into $500,000 for construction, $100,000 for a 20 percent contingency, and $50,000 for construction administration and a resident engineer.

Marchetti also submitted an order to pay a previous year's expense of $48,820 to the department for tree removal last year following a snowstorm.  

"The expense pertains to Northern Tree Services mobilization on four separate occasions to perform essential debris clearance and restoration immediately after the March 14 2023 Snow Storm that caused large tree limbs and several trees to be knocked down," Morales wrote.

"Due to an administrative oversight, these invoices were misplaced but have since been validated in collaboration with Northern Tree Service. We aim to rectify this and ensure timely payment for their indispensable services."

At the last council meeting, a petition from Ward 4 Councilor James Conant requesting an update on resurfacing, sidewalk reconstruction, preventative maintenance, line painting, streetscape maintenance, and manhole covers was referred to Morales.

He reported that over the past three weeks, the Highway Division has addressed road defects and potholes during the warmer weather.  An area on South Street received prioritized attention and the requested work has been patched and is expected to last at least until a better repair can be done with asphalt in the spring.

"DPI will be hiring a landscape gardener for the continual maintenance of our streetscape and the city will conduct necessary repairs, and supply the necessary materials to further this cause."

Several projects are in the planning stage and details have not been finalized.

The city has an active contract with LB Corp. that will continue in the spring with about seven miles of road resurfacing.

"The Engineering Division is currently in the process of finalizing the list of streets to be resurfaced next, slated for FY25. City Engineer Shedd has provided the preliminary list to all councilors with the intent to review and finalize the list within the next couple of weeks," Morales reported.

"The work is expected to be awarded by end of April. This work will also include crack sealing and fog sealing, two types of preventative maintenance on our roads and this too is expected to be completed in FY25."

A contract for sidewalk reconstruction was awarded to JH Maxymillian and work is expected to begin in the spring.  The commissioner explained that the intent is to send the contractor to streets and assign work as needed, and is intended to be done in close coordination with city councilors.

The city has entered into a County Bid program for road markings and line painting.  The contract includes water-based and thermoplastic paints and a separate contract will be awarded in the next month for a third type of paint.
 

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.