Bel Air Dam Removal and Traffic Control Plan Update

02:05PM / Thursday, June 19, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have been working with SumCo Eco-Contracting to develop the traffic control plan for the Bel Air Dam removal project.

Two-way traffic will be maintained on Wahconah Street during construction, although there will be a slight lane shift implemented which will be marked by traffic cones and drums. In addition, the sidewalk on the eastern side of Wahconah Street will remain available for pedestrian use throughout the duration of construction and the previously planned pedestrian detour onto the west side of Wahconah Street will not be implemented.

A pedestrian light signal will be installed on the existing eastern sidewalk, at the construction entrance approximately 600 feet north of Wahconah Heights. This new, temporary signal will alert pedestrians regarding the need to halt if construction vehicles are exiting onto Wahconah Street. As previously planned, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) will be permanently installed at the existing crosswalk on the northern end of Wahconah Street between Wilson and Mohawk

Streets.

As part of the revised approach to traffic management for this project, there may be times when trucks are temporarily queued along Wahconah Street as they wait to enter the construction entrance near the existing dam, which may result in temporary traffic delays for a few minutes while police flaggers manage traffic on Wahconah Street. However, the majority of truck staging will occur at the Wahconah Park parking area, where trucks will wait until they are notified to

advance to the construction entrance for sediment loading.

The Bel Air Dam removal work is expected to continue through 2026. For more information about this project, visit the Bel Air Dam project page.

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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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