Pearl Ambassador Program Enhances Downtown Pittsfield Cleanliness

10:34AM / Friday, August 08, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), in partnership with ServiceNet, and with support from MassDevelopment's TDI Local Grant, has launched the Pearl Ambassador Program - a community volunteer initiative that improves the downtown environment with strategic connections and beautification efforts.

Through this program, residents of The Pearl, ServiceNet's shelter located at 21 Pearl Street, volunteer to clean and care for downtown Pittsfield. Participants - known as Pearl Ambassadors -remove litter, clean benches and parking meters, and help maintain the appearance of sidewalks and public areas. In exchange for their contribution, ambassadors receive a $40 gift card for 2 hours of volunteer work along with a weekly group lunch in the downtown.

Residents of The Pearl have been instrumental in the development and leadership of the Ambassador program by identifying downtown areas that need improvement, participating in program creation and direction, and taking action to make North Street a more vibrant and welcoming place for all residents and visitors.

Now in its eighth week, the Pearl Ambassador Program is already making a visible impact. The program has funding to continue through October.

Downtown visitors and residents can recognize the Pearl Ambassadors by their bright yellow vests, which signal their active role in keeping the district clean and welcoming.

Pearl Ambassadors responsibilities include the management of cigarette receptacles along North Street between Union and Maplewood Avenues. At Ambassador recommendation, six additional units have been ordered and will be installed in high-use public areas including Persip Park, Sotille Park, and Dunham Mall.

"Our members identified cleanliness as a key concern, and we are lucky to be working with the team from The Pearl on this much-needed project," said Rebecca Brien, Managing Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. "Their commitment and ongoing efforts have made a noticeable difference in the downtown."

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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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