Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Holds Annual Meeting, Elects Board of Directors

07:51AM / Friday, June 13, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) held its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and welcomed a new member to its Board of Directors.

During the meeting, members unanimously elected Linda Johnston, a veteran human resources executive with over 35 years of banking experience at Berkshire Bank, to the Board. Johnston brings extensive leadership expertise in talent development, workforce strategy, and organizational growth—making her a valuable addition to the Co-op's community-focused mission.

President and CEO Michael P. Daly reported that Co-op Bank continues to stand on exceptionally strong financial footing.

"We are proud to report that the Co-op holds the best capital ratio in the Berkshires and ranks among the strongest in Massachusetts," said Daly. "This performance reflects our commitment to conservative financial management, smart growth, and serving our customers with integrity." Daly also noted a growing sense of energy and enthusiasm surrounding the Bank, both within the organization and in the broader community."

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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