Pittsfield Councilor Skeptical of New Berkshire Carousel Plan
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— While the Berkshire Carousel is no longer being offered to the city, a councilor believes it will be back to square one without local control.
"This will have more unnecessary sequels than the Fast and Furious series and we will be discussing this issue in the fall," Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said.
During Tuesday’s eight-minute City Council meeting, an order to accept a conveyance and donation of land at 50 Center St. (the Berkshire Carousel) was withdrawn. Owner James Shulman, who lives in Ohio, is working with friends of the carousel group on other operational plans.
Warren is "very hopeful but not overly optimistic" about this development.
"A month and a half ago, I told you that there were at least two things necessary to make this successful. One, it had to be running this year and two, it had to be transferred out of the control of an out-of-town family-related group to a local group," he said.
"Both are very important and you couldn't delay either one. Even if there's some success this year, we will be back to square one concerning the control of the carousel."
Last week, iBerkshires.com received a press release from a volunteer group affiliated with the Berkshire Carousel Inc. announcing its reopening in the spring. It explains that when the volunteers learned that the ride could be revived, they began working with the Berkshire Carousel Inc. to offer an opportunity for it to be run "By the people who love it most."
The group reported that an opening date will be announced soon.
Warren said the city needs to keep dealing with this even though the group is taking over and he wishes them the most success. He supported the offer's withdrawal.
"But while they're still being controlled from out of state, it's eventually going to end up somewhere being discussed next year, and at some point, we've got to bite the bullet and deal with the issue," he asserted.
Unlike the ride, Warren feels "We can’t keep going around and around with this and we need to deal with this."
Conversations began in November when the conveyance and land donation were brought to the council. A 2025 operational model and budget put forward by the donors costs about $61,000 annually and brings in the same amount of money, with $25,000 income from rides alone if they cost one dollar. It also included a $15,000 gift from the Shulman family.
In December, the Finance Subcommittee determined that more conversation is needed before the decision and it was recommended that Mayor Peter Marchetti enact a committee to review it. A committee will no longer be formed.
Community members and officials voiced support for saving the carousel, attracting visitors to the area, and providing more activities for children. Concerns included the operational costs and the location, which is on Center Street next to a pharmacy and across from a gas station. There are no other recreational or cultural activities near it.
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