Public Meeting on the Kirvin Memorial Park ecological Improvements

07:50AM / Thursday, June 05, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield, Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees, and General Electric Co. will be hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:00p.m.

This meeting will take place at Herberg Middle School located at 501 Pomeroy Avenue in the auditorium.

At this meeting, the presenters will review the significant floodplain and habitat restoration and enhancement plan for Kirvin Memorial Park. A team of specialists will be working to improve the conditions of approximately 17 acres in the flood plain of Sackett and Ashley Brooks in the south end of Kirvin Memorial Park by removing invasive plant species and establishing native vegetation.

In addition, there are plans to expand wetland conditions in a portion of the floodplain area. These invasive plants collectively impair the overall habitat diversity and functions of the ecosystem.

The public is encouraged to attend to listen to the presentation and provide feedback on the proposal.

This project is slated to start in the fall of 2025. During this project, the park will remain open to the public.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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