Pittsfield Street Improvement Project: Aug. 11-15

07:49AM / Monday, August 11, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Please be advised that the following street improvements are scheduled from Aug. 11-15

August 15: Crack sealing on East Street (from First Street to Fourth Street), Lincoln Street and Highland Avenue

On-street parking, for the above streets, is prohibited during this work between the hours of 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Additional utility underground work, in the right of way, will be occurring on the following streets:

West Street between Backman Avenue and College Way
West Street between Fort Hill Avenue and Tor Court
Sampson Parkway
Holmes Road (Dawes Avenue to River Bridge)
East Street between Lyman Street and Merrill Road

Please use caution when traveling on these roads. Drivers should seek alternate routes to avoid traffic delays. This schedule is subject to change based upon weather conditions.

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Dalton Fire District Seeks State OK for Permanent Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
03:26PM / Wednesday, March 11, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District is considering interim Fire Chief Christopher Francis Cachat for the permanent chief position, pending required state approval.

Cachat has been serving as chief since January 2025, with the duties being split between himself, Administrative Deputy Chief Charlotte Crane, and Capt. Dennis Tinker.

However, one challenge to making his appointment permanent is that Cachat is older than 65, the mandatory retirement age for firefighters in Massachusetts.

In 1987, the state eliminated the maximum age and mandatory retirement requirements for most public employees, but firefighters were exempt from this ruling.

The law requires the personnel administrator to study whether a firefighter can serve past the mandatory retirement age, considering job risks, physical demands, and the costs of injuries for older personnel.

Towns and cities can seek a home-rule petition from the state Legislature and governor to allow an individual to continue serving in a position past the age of 65, and the Fire District is in the process of doing just that.

State Rep. Leigh Davis filed a home-rule bill last March on the district's behalf to allow Cachat, who has been with the department for four decades, to continue serving until age 70, provided he remains physically and mentally capable of fulfilling the role’s duties.

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