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Lanesborough Advancing Two Public Safety Building Options

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board has voted to advance two public safety complex options for public review.

A $7.3 million facility could hold police and emergency medical services under one roof and, for $6.5 million, the departments could have their own buildings. 

The final choice will be in the hands of residents at a town meeting.  

In 2023, voters rejected a proposed $5.9 million police/EMS complex 139-214. The committee thought that it was a good proposal and asked that the cost be updated for another try.

The 7,222 square-foot combined police and EMS build would cost about $7,365,868. Alternatively, a 4,814-square-foot police station with a separate two or three-bay EMS facility would $6,509,900.

All options would be constructed at 405 South Main St., the former Skyline Country Club.

The Fire Department was eliminated from designs after the planners found that a station would cost $27 million on its own.

The EMS department is currently housed in the fire station at 180 South Main St. which is owned by the Fire Association. It has been asked to leave because of insufficient space. The Select Board discussed progressing the EMS building first at an estimated cost of $2,851,282.

Before the police/EMS facility was rejected in 2023, Lanesborough was earmarked $1 million in funding through the state bond passed by the Legislature in 2022. With voter approval, the funds can be released for the project and more money can be requested each year.

Last year, the Select Board voted to work with RCAP Solutions as a consultant in the financing application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program.

The USDA's Community Facilities Program can help provide funding for public safety buildings to purchase equipment but typically, the grant funds cannot be used for construction itself. This would require a USDA loan, which requires more financial work to prove that the town can repay the debt.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.