Berkshire County Public Housing Benefits From Internet Access Grants

07:24AM / Thursday, August 07, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll administration and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) awarded $31,548,018 to four internet service providers (ISPs) to increase internet access for affordable and public housing residents statewide.

Aervivo Inc. was awarded $10,527,014 for 6,402 housing units. This uncludes 30 units in Pittsfield through the Beacon Residential Management Limited Partnership and 30 units in Williamstown through the Williamstown Housing Authority.

Archtop Fiber LLC was awarded $481,955 for 164 housing units. Through the Great Barrington Housing Authority, 31 housing units in Great Barrington, 30 housing units in Sheffield, and 50 units in Housatonic will benefit.

53 units in Stockbridge will also be impacted through the Stockbridge Housing Authority.

This round of grant funding will modernize internet access in more than 13,700 housing units across Massachusetts, including the installation of fiber-optic or CAT6 internet infrastructure, customer home-based equipment, and Wi-Fi service to residences in 60 municipalities across the state. The upgrades aim to increase connectivity, reduce cost burdens and improve digital access for low-income residents.

"This program is about enhancing broadband connectivity for residents statewide," said Massachusetts Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba. "With this funding, we're making sure low-income residents have the same access to essential services, opportunities, and tools as everyone else, leading to a more connected and advanced economy."

The Residential Retrofit Program is funded by U.S. Treasury's Capital Projects Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act. The program prioritizes projects in federally designated Qualified Census Tracts and properties with high percentages of deed-restricted affordable housing.

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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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