Freeman Center Welcomes New Board Members

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Elizabeth Freeman Center has welcomed Myla Franklin, Laurie Gallagher, Chris MacBeth and Tess Sorrentino to its board of directors.
 
Franklin is a community leader and grassroots organizer with 10 years of experience in project management, advocacy and relationship building. She is currently the community lending officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union.
 
Gallagher is an attorney who served as senior counsel for 25 years for GE and SABIC. She has served locally as interim CEO and board chair for Berkshire United Way and as a mentor at 18 Degrees.
 
MacBeth has more than 35 years of experience working in social services and health care agencies 15 of which were at the Brien Center where she served as president and CEO.
 
Sorrentino is senior vice president and chief financial officer for Adams Community Bank. A 40 under 40 honoree, she is involved in many Berkshire non-profits, and a past Volunteer of the Year for St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Unico of Pittsfield.
 
"All four members bring their exceptional skills and their shared passion to advance the mission of the Elizabeth Freeman Center which for the past 50 years, has provided life changing services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault," according to the statement from Leslie Ioffredo, co-president of the board of directors. 

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Pittsfield Council OKs Privacy Measure, Sees Bridge Update

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The state plans to remove some of crumbling concrete on the Dalton Avenue bridge and wrap its repairs into a project with the rail trail. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council is taking steps to protect its own privacy, as well as public comment speakers' privacy. 

On Tuesday, councilors voted to remove their home addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with 70 Allen St., or City Hall, to improve safety. It was brought forward by Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, and Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham. 

"This is an easy proposal to support," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said. 

While this doesn't completely block their addresses from public view, as they are listed elsewhere as residents, it makes them a little harder to access. 

Moody pointed out that a Virginia city councilor was set on fire last year by a member of the public. NBC News reported that the attack stemmed from a personal matter. 

"I don't think anybody worries about me being able to defend myself, but I do have children, and I worry for them," Moody explained. 

Warren pointed out that they have done the same for those who speak at public comment. When he was first elected into office years ago, people picketed at his home for his stance on a School Committee issue. 

"Back then, it wasn't that big a deal. Now we find ourselves in very divisive times," Warren said. 

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