Pittsfield Announces Street Improvement Project Schedule for May 19-23

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has announced a schedule of street improvements to take place from May 19 through May 23.

From May 19 to May 22, crews are scheduled to apply loam and seed to Orlando Avenue, Backman Avenue, Daniels Avenue, and Jason Street. During the same period, structures on the initial section of Newell Street, between East Street and Lyman Street, will be raised.

On Friday, May 23, the first course of paving is planned for Newell Street, specifically the section between Elm Street and Lyman Street, as well as for Meadow Lane.

The city has prohibited on-street parking on the aforementioned streets between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. while this work is underway.

In addition to the city’s projects, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will be conducting overnight milling operations from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on the following dates and locations:

• May 19 and May 20 on First Street, between East Street and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.
• May 21 and May 22 on South Street, from the East/West Housatonic Street intersection to South Mountain Road.

Overnight parking will not be permitted on these streets during the specified hours.

From May 21 to May 23, MassDOT will also be adjusting structures on North Street, from the Berkshire Medical Center entrance to the Lanesboro town line.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution when traveling in these areas. The announced schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.