Pittsfield Seeking Community Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

10:33AM / Thursday, June 12, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee of Pittsfield has developed a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan Update that identifies and prioritizes strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change on our community.

Pittsfield's Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee has developed this plan as a strategy for the city against existing and future natural hazard threats and the evolving challenges posed by climate change. Implementation of this plan will enhance the resilience to hazards such as flooding, snowstorms, high winds, and extreme temperatures.

Public engagement lies at the core of our Hazard Mitigation Plan. It is imperative that this plan reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of the community members as the city moves to mitigate risks posed by natural hazards and climate change.

The draft plan can be viewed on the Pittsfield's Fire Department webpage on the city's website.

Comments on the draft plan can be provided using the Google form or via email to tsammons@cityofpittsfield.org by Friday, June 20, 2025.

City officials and local stakeholders developed this plan with funding support from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) approval, and City adoption, of the Hazard Mitigation Plan allows the City to pursue pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant opportunities.

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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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