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Park Square Maple Couldn't Weather Summer Storms

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — One of Park Square's trees wasn't able to weather the summer storms.

A large limb from a 32-foot sugar maple in the park fell next to the fountain area over the weekend.  Caution tape and traffic barrels now surround the aftermath. 

If it cannot be saved, it will likely be replaced.

This tree was assessed two years ago as part of the Park Square Tree Planting Project and deemed to be in "fair to good" condition. Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath explained that it was showing deadwood and areas on top were experiencing dieback but planners hoped to clean it up to "serve our needs into the future" due to its significance in the park.

The tree was determined to have "low vigor," he reported, and could have had some internal rot not seen in the review.

As recommended by the 2022 plan, pruning was scheduled for the fall along with multiple other trees in the park. With such a significant portion now gone, McGrath's instinct is to remove the tree and replace it with a similar sugar maple.

He said the city will likely look to plant five trees this fall and fully implement the plan. The project removes four trees and plants seven, including the city's permanent Christmas tree that was unveiled last year.

Thirteen trees were assessed for health, risk, and safe useful lifespan. The maple tree's DBH, or diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, is 32.5 inches and it was identified as having "large deadwood" as a defect.

As part of the plan, the Berkshire County Historical Society honored the Berkshires' first known environmentalist, Lucretia Williams, by planting an elm tree at the park last year.

It was not far from the spot where Williams had saved the Pittsfield elm tree from the axe 233 years before.

Last holiday season, the city's permanent Christmas tree was lit for the holidays for the first time. The young tree is expected to grow up to 50 feet in time and stands next to the spot where the maple limb fell.

Berkshire Law Enforcement Officials Endorse Fenton for Governor's Council

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:11PM / Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Michael Fenton, a Springfield attorney, ran unsuccessfully for the 8th District seat on the council in 2022. He is challenging incumbent Tara Jacobs of North Adams. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ranking Berkshire law enforcement officials are putting their weight behind a Springfield lawyer for Governor's Council in the September Democratic primary over North Adams incumbent Tara Jacobs.

 

The Berkshires' District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Clerk of Courts Lisa Denault-Viale touted Michael Fenton's experience and approach over Jacobs, who bested him and two other attorneys in 2022.  

 

The Governor's Council advises the governor on matters relating to judicial appointments, treasury warrants, pardons and commutations, and a number of other important executive functions. The winner of the primary will represent the 8th District, which covers more than 100 cities and towns including North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield, Greenfield, Northampton and Springfield, as there is no other candidate on the November ballot.

 

Gathering at Park Square on Wednesday morning, Shugrue said Jacobs does not provide the representation Berkshire County requires and deserves. 

 

"This individual [Fenton] would conduct himself with a great deal of common sense and confidence," Bowler said. 

 

Fenton said there are only 11 Superior Court judges assigned to Western Mass, and that too few of them are from Berkshire County. 

 

"At one time there were four vacancies. That left only seven judges serving the entire 102 cities and towns of the western region. Seven judges serving 102 cities and towns at a time when you add Hampden County, Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee in, at a time when there were over 100 pending murder cases. Seven judges for 100 pending murder cases," he said.