Pittsfield Announces Concurrent Street Improvement and Water Flushing Schedules

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield has announced concurrent infrastructure projects scheduled for the week of May 12 to May 16.

Street improvements will take place on the following streets from May 12 to May 16: raising structures on Daniels Avenue and Newell Street; and loam and seed application on Ridge Avenue, Orlando Avenue, Backman Avenue, and Jason Street. Additionally, curbing installation is scheduled for Newell Street on May 12 and 13.

Separately, a Massachusetts Department of Transportation project will involve milling North Street from the Lanesborough Town Line to the Berkshire Medical Center entrance, with structure raising also occurring on North Street.

During these street improvement activities, on-street parking will be prohibited on the affected streets between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The City of Pittsfield’s water system will also undergo its final phase of spring flushing from Monday, May 12, to Friday, May 16, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Water mains citywide will be flushed through hydrants. Areas anticipated to be affected by the flushing include Cascade and Churchill streets, and West Street from Fort Hill Avenue westward, encompassing Meadow Ridge Drive, Lillybrook Road, and Westbrook Terrace.

The city advises that water flushing may cause temporary localized discolored water and reduced water pressure. Residents experiencing these issues should run their water briefly to clear it. Persistent discolored water or low pressure should be reported to the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

The city reminds residents that the water flushing is a standard procedure for maintaining water quality. Motorists are asked to use caution on roads where street improvements are underway. Both schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions. Updates are available on the City Hall- City of Pittsfield Facebook page, Mayor Peter Marchetti’s Facebook page, and the Pittsfield Mayor’s Office Instagram account.

 

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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
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