PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council breezed through 12 departmental budgets on the third day of hearings last week for fiscal year 2025. All were preliminarily approved with a unanimous vote.
During the finance and administration discussion, Councilor at Large Alisa Costa stressed the importance of livable wages for city workers. She acknowledged the city's support of raising salaries over the last few years but pointed out that a few positions are making less than $40,000 annually.
Finance Director Matthew Kerwood said all union positions are subject to collective bargaining "so what you see in terms of salaries before you are a result of the collective bargaining process which is agreed upon by both the union and management."
He added that all of the contracts are up at the end of this fiscal year and it will be a discussion point during negotiations "but I will not discuss management's bargaining position publicly."
Costa said a living-wage calculator provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology sets it at $21.83 per hour for a single adult in Pittsfield. She said many full-time positions in the city don't allow people to meet their needs while saving money.
"And if you want people to be able to afford taxes, to shop in our stores, we need to bring that up and I know it's a challenge because we have this tight budget but I would just urge you in those negotiations to consider those lower salaries first," she said.
Mayor Peter Marchetti said he appreciated the feedback but stressed that the budget was designed on the council's directive of being as close to level-funded as possible.
"My budget included a 5 percent increase as compared to the 10 percent increase the year prior so that's as close to a level-funded budget as I could get," he said. "Any negotiations that take place, if you want to put me under the same restraints next year, we'll make the decisions when we get there."
President Peter White said he agrees with Costa and pointed out that he didn't support the request for a level-funded budget knowing that there are areas that need to be increased.
"Making sure that we have employees that are paid enough to stay here is very important to me. Also as a union person myself, making sure that we have the employees here that do good work and are paid more for being here at City Hall for the work they do than what they could be making at some other local establishments and stores that are having trouble keeping people," he said.
"I think we need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to keep the best people here."
The Office of Cultural Development budget of $134,224 is a $1,726, or 1.27 percent decrease from the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with no discussion.
The decrease is due to a 7.8 percent reduction in the administrative assistant line and a complete reduction of telephone expenses.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Director
$59,350
$62,673
$67,373
$72,510
$74,759
Administrative Assistant
$33,523
$36,602
$37,633
$40,640
$37,465
Contractual Services
$4,000
$4,000
$4,000
$4,000
$4,000
Tourism Expenses
$14,000
$14,000
$14,000
$14,000
$14,000
Supplies
$3,000
$3,000
$3,000
$3,000
$3,000
Telephone
$800
$800
$800
$800
$0
Travel and Dues
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
Total
$115,673
$122,075
$127,806
$135,950
$134,224
Emergency Management
The Emergency Management budget of $32,500 is a $3,098, or 10.54 percent, increase from the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with no discussion.
The increase is largely attributed to a $3,000 bump to the director of emergency management line.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Director of Emergency MGMT
$0
$0
$0
$0
$3,000
Education and Training
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
Code Red
$23,000
$23,000
$23,000
$26,002
$26,100
Supplies
$100
$100
$100
$100
$100
Emergency Operating Center
$2,800
$2,800
$2,800
$2,800
$2,800
Total
$26,400
$26,400
$26,400
$29,402
$32,500
Fire
The Fire Department budget of $10,813,865 is a $341,250, or 3.26 percent, increase from the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with some discussion.
There is an over 56 percent jump in contractual services and communication expenses, which covers the internet, cell phones, the security system, the radio contract, the photocopier lease, and all annual service contracts.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Fire Chief
$114,800
$121,824
$130,961
$140,942
$145,316
Deputy Fire Chiefs
$424,663
$435,280
$455,000
$503,000
$637,000
Fire Captains
$1,134,882
$1,163,254
$1,193,519
$1,310,519
$1,344,519
Fire Lieutenants
$1,266,635
$1,298,300
$1,329,266
$1,452,000
$1,496,560
Firefighters
$4,298,751
$4,494,219
$4,716,103
$5,181,205
$5,292,829
Head Clerk
$35,288
$37,465
$34,247
$35,200
$36,422
Master Mechanic
$75,254
$76,759
$80,497
$78,851
$80,467
Principal Clerk
$28,821
$30,355
$32,654
$39,495
$40,866
Office Manager
$43,864
$44,978
$59,553
$66,399
$68,706
Emergency Apparatus Staffing
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
Emergency Manning
$375,000
$450,000
$450,000
$625,000
$600,000
Assuming Additional Response
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
Uniforms
$122,000
$122,000
$125,000
$125,000
$125,000
Maintenance General
$15,000
$15,000
$15,000
$18,000
$18,000
Vehicle Maintenance
$225,000
$225,000
$230,000
$250,000
$250,000
Medical Maintenance
$15,000
$15,000
$17,000
$17,000
$17,000
Education and Training
$22,000
$22,000
$25,000
$300,000
$300,000
Special Operations Training
$35,000
$35,000
$40,000
$121,000
$115,000
Supplies
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
Equipment
$40,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
$50,000
Equipment Replacement
$45,000
$45,000
$45,000
$50,000
$50,000
CAD License/Maint/Admin Fees
$50,000
$50,000
$55,000
$55,000
$86,180
Total
$8,426,958
$8,781,434
$9,138,800
$10,472,615
$10,813,865
Health Department
The Health Department budget of $675,901 is a $40,390, or 6.36 percent, increase over the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with little conversation.
The community health worker, previously funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, adds $24,850 to the spending plan.
"This role was created with ARPA funding back in 2022 and as we are no longer allowed to use ARPA funding after this calendar year, we want to continue to support this position with that," Director of Public Health Andy Cambi explained.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Board of Health Director
$71,814
$80,500
$83,743
$90,128
$92,922
Senior Sanitarian
$52,832
$57,411
$52,390
$64,701
$66,410
Animal Inspector
$4,500
$4,500
$4,500
$4,500
$4,500
Sanitarians
$94,174
$98,593
$93,810
$98,646
$102,513
Senior Code Enforcement Inspector
$48,703
$50,988
$49,020
$52,188
$53,567
Nuisance Control Officer
$37,657
$39,424
$37,901
$39,273
$41,418
Officer Manager
$40,850
$41,622
$43,408
$46,215
$47,435
Public Health Nurse
$68,690
$72,537
$77,352
$80,823
$84,864
Administrative Assistant
$36,911
$32,838
$34,248
$35,485
$35,485
Board of Health Clerk
$1,500
$1,500
$1,500
$1,500
$1,500
Licensed Social Worker
$0
$0
$75,000
$76,952
$80,800
Water Testing
$1,500
$1,500
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
Uniforms
$1,700
$1,700
$1,700
$1,700
$1,700
Contractual Services
$2,000
$2,000
$3,000
$3,000
$3,000
Telephone
$1,700
$1,500
$1,500
$2,400
$0
Equipment Maintenance
$4,500
$3,000
$3,000
$6,500
$3,500
Education and Training
$2,000
$2,000
$4,000
$4,500
$4,500
Nuisance Abatement
$7,000
$5,000
$5,000
$4,000
$4,000
Code Enforcement
$3,000
$2,500
$2,500
$3,500
$2,500
Medical Supplies
$9,000
$9,000
$9,000
$15,000
$15,000
Supplies
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,500
$2,500
Total
$492,031
$510,113
$586,572
$635,511
$675,901
Building Maintenance City
The city building maintenance budget of $2,094,149 is a $37,162, or 1.81 percent, increase from the previous year. It was approved with Councilor at Large Earl Persip III asking questions about the boiler and HVAC repairman line being reduced to zero, the nearly $5,000 increase for a plumber, and the $10,000 addition for one seasonal laborer.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Director of Maintenance
$74,047
$79,263
$94,808
$102,535
$105,714
Boiler/HVAC Repairman
$46,232
$47,621
$49,759
$52,304
$0
Painter
$50,009
$47,648
$49,821
$103,175
$114,483
Working Foreman Craft
$57,410
$59,874
$62,444
$66,736
$70,114
Plumber
$110,741
$104,316
$109,539
$116,494
$121,410
Carpenters
$157,187
$163,799
$169,539
$182,764
$134,827
Principal Clerk
$41,213
$42,981
$44,827
$47,920
$50,332
HVAC Technician
$106,451
$110,303
$161,300
$159,666
$177,919
Custodian
$40,020
$35,380
$36,972
$43,349
$52,796
Office Manager
$54,753
$57,102
$59,553
$63,647
$66,869
Electricians
$161,873
$168,102
$173,466
$186,422
$209,485
Seasonal Labor
$0
$0
$0
$0
$10,000
Scheduled Overtime
$40,000
$40,000
$43,000
$45,000
$55,000
Custodial Labor Rentals
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
Contractual Allowances
$4,500
$4,500
$4,500
$5,200
$5,200
Utilities
$560,000
$545,000
$545,000
$560,000
$585,000
Repairs Municipal
$263,026
$260,000
$275,000
$310,000
$310,000
Total
$1,792,462
$1,790,890
$1,904,053
$2,056,987
$2,094,149
Building Maintenance Schools
The school building maintenance budget of $900,000 is the same as the previous year and was preliminarily approved with no discussion.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Contractual Services
$375,000
$375,000
$425,000
$425,000
$475,000
Maintenance Supplies
$395,000
$395,000
$450,000
$475,000
$425,000
Total
$770,000
$770,000
$900,000
$900,000
$900,000
Building Inspections
The Building Inspector's Department budget of $677,108 is a $25,059, or 3.84 percent, increase from the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with little discussion.
Persip pointed out that the local building inspectors line item seemed "a little low" and Commissioner Jeffrey Clemons explained that two inspectors left and two will be starting soon.
Last year, the council approved the addition of two inspectors for code enforcement on multi-family homes. Clemons said they are doing "fairly well" considering the rotating team of inspectors.
"We've sent letters out to at least 200 since 2023, multifamily buildings. We inspected 84 multifamily buildings. The certified is in the 60s and 17 or so of them failed so they're ongoing inspections," he said, explaining that they are working with the owners to get the buildings in safe condition.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Senior Wire Inspector
$57,532
$58,395
$59,270
$63,410
$55,040
Building Commissioner
$76,398
$81,783
$87,917
$94,390
$97,317
Head Clerk
$36,061
$37,609
$40,015
$42,810
$46,166
Senior Clerk
$15,350
$29,543
$30,928
$34,668
$37,424
Building Inspectors
$163,757
$169,180
$270,735
$285,789
$306,718
Plumbing and Gas Inspector
$48,890
$50,987
$51,752
$55,367
$59,707
Inspector of Weights and Measures
$44,164
$46,059
$46,059
$50,015
$53,936
Temporary Labor
$4,800
$4,800
$4,800
$8,000
$8,000
Uniforms
$3,600
$3,600
$3,600
$4,800
$4,800
Telephone
$3,665
$3,666
$3,940
$4,800
$0
Supplies
$9,416
$6,000
$6,000
$8,000
$8,000
Total
$463,633
$491,622
$652,049
$652,049
$677,108
City Solicitor
The city solicitor budget of $269,379 is a $1,753, or .66 percent, increase over the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with no discussion.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
City Solicitor
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Assistant City Solicitor
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Executive Legal Secretary
$46,873
$50,169
$53,932
$50,126
$51,879
Tax Title Litigation
$1,500
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
Supplies
$1,000
$500
$500
$500
$500
Law Library
$3,250
$0
$0
$0
$0
Legal Fees and Court Costs
$162,000
$170,000
$175,000
$210,000
$210,000
Legal Settlements
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Equipment Maintenance
$2,800
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
Total
$219,746
$227,669
$236,432
$267,626
$269,379
IT
The Information Technology Department budget of $1,318,488 is a $51,395, or 4.1 percent, increase from the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with no discussion.
A typo in the city budget proposal originally had the public safety specialist salary listed at $79 and it was corrected to $79,702.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
IT Manager
$78,815
$78,875
$84,790
$90,943
$93,763
IT Support Specialists II
$0
$71,000
$75,478
$81,629
$85,710
Info Systems Specialists
$129,245
$133,474
$136,000
$148,198
$156,298
IT Public Safety Specialist I
-
-
-
$66,479
$70,113
IT Business Analyst
$129,002
$126,611
$130,000
$75,907
$79,702
Computer Upgrade and Repair
$23,975
$27,500
$33,000
$37,950
$40,086
Computer License/Support
$266,000
$376,086
$498,233
$651,987
$631,315
Telephone/Internet
-
-
-
$113,000
$160,500
Supplies
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
Total
$625,037
$814,546
$958,501
$1,267,093
$1,318,488
Workers Compensation
The worker's compensation budget of $700,000 is a $50,00 decrease from the previous year due to a reduction in independent medical reviews for employees who have led worker compensation or injured on duty claims. It was preliminarily approved with no discussion.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
Compensation Payments
$275,000
$275,000
$275,000
$275,000
$275,000
Medical Payments
$225,000
$225,000
$225,000
$275,000
$225,000
Injured on Duty - Police and Fire
$150,000
$150,000
$150,000
$200,000
$200,000
Total
$650,000
$650,000
$650,000
$750,000
$700,000
Finance and Administration
The finance and administration budget of $1,435,380 is a $36,840, or 2.63 percent, increase over the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with little discussion.
Account Name
2021 Approval
2022 Approval
2023 Approval
2024 Approval
2025 Approval
City Accountant
$69,264
$73,143
$78,628
$79,104
$83,060
Administrative Assistant
$17,720
$33,741
$35,189
$35,485
$36,017
Chief Assessor
$80,185
$89,252
$91,785
$96,374
Assessors
$203,815
$71,050
$76,379
$73,331
$76,998
Treasurer
$93,577
$98,818
$106,229
$114,329
$117,875
Tax Collector
$68,592
$72,078
$77,484
$83,792
$87,982
Assistant Treasurer
$47,909
$49,965
$52,109
$55,477
$56,309
Assistant Tax Collector
$25,274
$43,627
$45,499
$48,440
$49,167
Purchasing Agent
$69,963
$73,518
$79,032
$85,473
$89,747
Deputy Purchasing Agent
$39,004
$44,579
$47,922
$50,126
$53,441
Head Clerk
$35,096
$36,602
$33,331
$39,552
$40,146
Account Clerk-Assessor
$34,383
$43,627
$45,499
$48,440
$49,167
Buyer
$30,551
$36,833
$39,575
$41,412
$44,146
Payroll Specialist
$39,910
$41,622
$43,408
$41,161
$42,083
Junior Accountant
$50,580
$51,339
$52,109
$55,477
$56,309
Benefits Analyst
$44,484
$45,151
$52,109
$57,002
$57,857
Administrative Clerk-Tax
$61,004
$64,556
$68,177
$72,921
$74,015
Administrative Clerk-Treasurer
$29,219
$30,472
$36,157
$34,535
$35,053
Accounts Payable Specialist
$65,231
$59,315
$78,475
$82,398
$83,634
Tax Collection Services
$65,000
$65,000
$65,000
$70,000
$70,000
Equipment Maintenance
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
Revaluation
$85,000
$85,000
$212,624
$90,000
$90,000
Legal Ads and Subscription
$8,000
$8,000
$8,000
$8,000
$6,000
Supplies
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
Total
$1,223,576
$1,248,221
$1,462,207
$1,398,541
$1,435,380
Unclassified
The unclassified budget of $63,929,171 is a $3,836,916, or 6.39 percent, increase from the previous year. It was preliminarily approved with little discussion.
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Companion Corner: Cookie at No Paws Left Behind
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's an adventurous cat at No Paws Left Behind looking for his forever home.
iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.
Cookie is a six year old grey and white domestic shorthair who has been at the shelter for a couple of months.
The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him.
"He came in, actually, with a couple other cats. It was just due to having too many cats in a house, and he came in with, we believe he might be like the father to the others. The others all were adopted over the last couple weeks, so he's the last one still here."
Cookie is a very friendly cat and he is always interested in the other cats to play or hang out. He can do well with other animals and any age but don't let his age fool you as he is still very active and very outgoing.
"He does well with other cats, he would do fine with being at home with dogs, kids. I know, like some people like seeing, a six year old cat you would think he may be not as active, but he is very active, outgoing, vocal. So, I think if you were somebody that was looking for a cat that was active and had a personality that I feel like he'd greet you at the door. He lets you know when he wants food. Really, he can go home with anything, as long as you want a cat that will let you know he's there, he'd be great."
He is quite adventurous as well. He enjoys climbing and exploring around his space. While he may be a bit shy to newcomers at first once he gets to know you he will talk to you and want to play.
"He likes to explore up high, so I think if you had a tall cat tower or windows for him to explore, he would love that, because he always is trying to get up high and get on the cabinets to see what's up there. There's not much he doesn't like, and then he can be a little like shy at first with new people, where he'll kind of go up to you and then walk away, but once he trusts you and is used to you, he's the easiest going social cat," she said.
Cookie does have a bit of a sensitive stomach and would be better if he has certain foods.
"We've tried a lamb or turkey food, and he's had a sensitivity to that, so we've been having him on just salmon and rice food, and he's been perfectly fine, no issues. So, otherwise, aside from the sensitivity, he's perfectly healthy and normal."
Cookie is waiting to be your next family member, if you want someone to talk to and lounge around with this is your boy.
"I really just think if you're looking for a social cat, he's going to be a great companion for somebody. I don't think it matters if you're… it doesn't matter your age. I think he would be happy to just have somebody keep him company and give him attention," she said.
If you think Cookie is your next companion be sure to fill out the form on their website and email or drop it off to No Paws Left Behind today.
Last week, families, attorneys, social workers, and agency staff gathered at the 18 Degrees Family Resource Center to honor four families who overcame obstacles, such as addiction, successfully navigated the system, and were ultimately reunited with their children. click for more
The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires provides programs and services that support children throughout the year, including EEC licensed childcare, afterschool programs, summer camp, academic support, sports and recreation, swimming, arts and enrichment activities, leadership development, wellness... click for more
Just five months after opening, The First has already become a community hub for individuals in need of resources or a place to decompress.
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The Licensing Board voted to suspend Bei Tempi's liquor license for five days, determining that it was "more likely than not" that the bar served at least one underage patron alcohol.
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