Former Pittsfield Mayor Honored With Housing Public Service Award

08:00AM / Thursday, June 20, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Linda Tyer Clairmont

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Linda Clairmont, former mayor of Pittsfield, has received the Canon Brian S. Kelley Public Service Award from the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance.

Clairmont accepted the award at MHSA's annual Home for Good fundraiser and award ceremony on May 16 in Boston.

She joined fellow award winners Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan. The three were recognized for being "steadfast in their commitment to ending homelessness."

During her eight-year tenure as mayor, Clairmont sought to find effective ways to support those experiencing chronic homelessness, often partnering with social services agencies in the Berkshires. She targeted some $8.6 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act to address housing insecurity and homelessness, including $750,000 toward rehabilitation of a historic building on North Street into affordable units. In a November 2022 editorial board meeting with The Berkshire Eagle, Clairmont said combating homelessness means being flexible and working at it constantly.

Clairmont is currently executive director of workforce development and community education at Berkshire Community College, which she joined in February.

She served as a public official for nearly 20 years. Before being elected mayor of Pittsfield in 2016 (as Linda Tyer), she was city clerk from 2009-2016 and city councilor for Ward 3 from 2004-2009. She is a graduate of Bay Path Junior College in Longmeadow.

Tags: housing, recognition event,

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Pittsfield Now Has 3 Splash Pads

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:26PM / Sunday, August 09, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— New facilities are coming to city parks.

A splash pad is now running at Durant Park, and a mini-pitch soccer field will be installed at Crane Park this fall. During the last Parks Commission meeting, Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath delivered project updates.

"We want to see these parks utilized. This is all about healthy Pittsfield," he said during the commission's July 21 meeting.

"Let's activate our parks and use the commission to really sensibly look at other improvements."

This is Pittsfield's third splash pad, the others at Clapp Park and The Common. Constructed by Baskin Builders, the outdoor water attraction is button-operated and has a variety of water elements for different ages.

The facility soft-opened recently, and Pittsfield plans to host a formal ribbon-cutting this month with the Westside Legends and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

"That project went really well, and we're really looking forward to offering a splash pad down at that great little park," McGrath said.

Durant Park, a 2.1-acre park at 30 John St., also hosts a 4,750-square-foot playground, basketball court, softball field, picnic area, and sitting areas. It is located in the heart of the West Side neighborhood and is within walking distance of many households.

In December, the City Council accepted $215,980 from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to install a stormwater treatment system on Francis Avenue and a splash pad at the park. BRPC agreed with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to administer the funds.

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