New England Public Media Names Senior Director of Development

11:01AM / Friday, July 19, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Tracy Trial

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — With more than 20 years of experience working in public service in Western Massachusetts, Tracy Trial joins New England Public Media as senior director of development.

She brings a high level of expertise in major gifts, planned giving, and strategic development to NEPM.

"The common thread through Tracy's career has been service," said NEPM President Matt Abramovitz. "Whether working as a fundraiser or a teacher, she has demonstrated a lifelong passion for making our community stronger. I am thrilled to have her bring her smarts, vision, and commitment to NEPM."

Trial is a collaborative-minded leader who has served in fundraising and community relations roles for a number of organizations. She comes to NEPM from United Way of Pioneer Valley, where she was senior director of development. Before that, she was director of community and donor relations at Goodwill Industries of Springfield and Hartford.

In addition to her extensive work in fundraising, her background also includes instructional and administrative positions in secondary and higher education through Holyoke Public Schools and Bay Path University, where she was director of experiential education.

She has given back to the community through volunteer work at Girls Inc. of the Valley, Treehouse Foundation, and other organizations.

A Western Massachusetts native, Trial attended Smith College, where she received a bachelor's degree in philosophy. She went on to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to earn a master's degree in education. She now lives in Wilbraham with her family and is an avid gardener and baker.

"NEPM has been a steady and dependable resource to me and my family for as long as I can remember," said Trial. "I am proud to join this team at such an important time for local media, and I'm eager to partner with supporters to ensure the continued vibrancy of this trusted organization."

Tags: NEPM, public radio,

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Pittsfield's DPW Czar Talks Snow Plowing

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Staffing shortages continue to stretch Pittsfield’s public works employees thin during winter storm events.

On Monday, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales updated the Public Works Committee on snow operations. Last winter, snow maintenance and winter overtime were overspent by nearly $1.2 million, and Pittsfield saw a total of 4.77 feet of snow.

"We place safety over everything else when we do the work we do, and one of those main things is to ensure that we have safe access for emergency vehicles. Then we consider equity, efficiency, and cost control," Morales explained.

"… We have to do the work we're doing and if the budget is at the end of the day, at the end of the year in the negative, then we have to make sure that we can replenish that by some other means and that's why, very often, almost every year, I have not seen a year where we have not done this, we come back to the City Council to ask for funds to replenish some of the funds spent on snow and ice."

The region saw more than a foot of snow earlier this year, and it continued to fall on Tuesday. Snow accumulation is significant because of freezing temperatures.

This winter season to date, 4.5 feet of snow has fallen on Pittsfield, and contractors worked more than 4,000 hours.

Morales cited contractor availability, contractor rates and insurance, staffing shortages, and increasing weather unpredictability as the main challenges for snow removal operations in fiscal year 2025. Staffing shortages continue in 2026, as the Highway Division has seven vacancies, causing "a major issue" when it comes to maintaining around-the-clock staffing during storms.

Contractors have been brought in to supplement with larger vehicles, and Deputy Commissioner Jason Murphy and other employees have been plowing while they should be focused on quality control. Morales pointed out that the city has worked with contractors to provide better pay and insurance standards for this winter season.

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