PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new climate control system has brought Pittsfield High School into the 21st century.
On Tuesday, Building Maintenance Director Brian Filiault reported that the building's new gas powered steam boilers are a far cry from the former 1930s converted locomotive engines. The about $3 million replacement began in June 2024 and was completed by the end of the year.
"They have full power capacity, but we're probably using 30 percent of what they can actually produce right now," Filiault told the School Building Needs Commission.
The following day, he and some of his staff were to be trained on how to operate the equipment, but "they are running, everything is perfect, we've had no issues with these boilers."
He said the boiler room went from a "cave to a Hilton," and the commission voted to plan a site visit. Superintendent Joseph Curtis agreed, reporting that for the first time in his tenure, he hasn't gotten complaints about the heat.
"Most times, no news is good news," he said.
The previous year, the building's climate control was upgraded to a digital system and new steam traps were installed, costing around $2.5 million.
"We did all these new controls so we can actually control the temperatures in the rooms," Filiault explained. "The two things came together, and it's a great marriage between the two of them."
The old nearly 100-year-old boilers were original to the building, extremely inefficient, and expensive to maintain. One was non-operational, and another was severely compromised.
The project was originally set to be paid by American Rescue Plan Act funds but last year, the City Council authorized the borrowing of $3 million for it. After looking at the numbers, it was clear that the allocated $1 million in ARPA funds would not be enough.
It began with an asbestos abatement, and when the temperatures dropped, a temporary, external boiler heated PHS while work was underway.
"It was kind of a balancing act because we needed to get the new boilers up and running before the real cold set in," Filiault said, adding that the temporary boiler would have a hard time heating the building in frigid weather.
Commissioner Judy Gitelson said the project is "wonderful," adding that she worked at PHS for almost 20 years and froze during the winter for a good part of it.
Tags: HVAC, PHS,
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Friday Front Porch Feature: This Luxury Home Has Plenty of Amenities
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LENOX, Mass. — Are you looking for a big house to enjoy your days with a big movie theater, a sauna, and more? Then this is the house for you.
Built in 2004, this seven-bedroom, and nine-bathroom home is 7,073 square feet on more than an acre. The home comes with an elevator to the lower level to access a theater, sauna, gym, wine cellar, massage room, and its very own soda fountain.
The home also has a guest house with a saltwater pool. A multi-car garage greets you with heated floors.
The this home is listed for $4,950,000 and is located in the 125-acre, gated Pinecroft compound.
We spoke to Leslie Chesloff, the listing agent with William Pitt Sotheby's.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Chesloff: This gated Berkshire stone estate truly redefines luxury living in the Berkshires. What sets it apart is the rare combination of resort-style amenities and complete privacy. The property offers Canyon Ranch-level wellness living with a full spa experience at home — including a sauna, massage room, and gym — plus an eight-seat hi-def theater with wine cellar for entertaining. The heated, gunite saltwater pool and spa are complemented by a fully equipped pool house with a guest suite and complete kitchen, perfect for extended family or guests.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
The moment you step inside, you're struck by the quality and craftsmanship — those 300-year-old reclaimed timber floors set an immediate tone of authenticity and warmth. The scale is impressive but never overwhelming; this is a home designed for gracious living, not just show. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and thoughtful flow between spaces create an inviting atmosphere that balances grandeur with genuine comfort.
How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?
This home feels like a private wellness retreat meets sophisticated family estate. There's a serene, spa-like quality throughout — enhanced by features like the sauna, steam shower, and massage room — but it never feels clinical or cold. The Berkshire stone exterior and reclaimed timber floors ground the home in a sense of place and permanence. It's designed for people who appreciate the finer things but want to actually live well — whether that's screening a film in the eight-seat theater with wine from your own cellar, hosting poolside gatherings, or simply unwinding in your own spa sanctuary.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
This is perfect for the discerning buyer who values wellness, privacy, and culture in equal measure. I envision someone who spends their days hiking or exploring the Berkshires, then comes home to unwind in the sauna or pool. They might entertain guests in the theater wine room, host multi-generational gatherings with family staying in the pool house guest suite (which has a full kitchen), and appreciate being minutes from Tanglewood, world-class dining, and Berkshire arts.
This could be an executive looking for a primary residence with work-from-home flexibility (there's an office/bedroom suite), a wellness-focused family, or empty nesters who want to host adult children and grandchildren in style and comfort.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Picture Saturday morning: you're sipping coffee on the terrace overlooking your heated saltwater pool, planning a day at Tanglewood. Your guests are making breakfast in the pool house kitchen — they have their own private retreat but are steps away when you're ready to gather. Evening arrives, and you screen a favorite film in your eight-seat theater, selecting a perfect bottle from your wine cellar. This isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle that brings resort-level wellness, entertainment, and hospitality to your doorstep — all within a secure, maintenance-free compound where nature meets luxury.
Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?
Absolutely. The home includes an elevator for multilevel accessibility, which is both practical and forward-thinking. The lower level is exceptionally well-conceived — a true entertainment and wellness wing featuring the eight-seat hi-def theater, wine cellar, sauna, gym, massage room, and even a charming soda fountain. The gourmet kitchen has been recently updated, customized wet bar, while outdoor living is elevated with the heated gunite saltwater pool/spa, firepit, and that incredible pool house with guest suite and full kitchen. Also, new HVAC system and heated driveway.
Thoughtful details like cedar closets, steam showers, central vacuum, and backup generator show this home was built to the highest standards.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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