September is Library Card Sign-up Month in Pittsfield

08:48AM / Monday, August 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — During the month of September, residents can show their Berkshire Athenaeum library card at participating local businesses for discounts and freebies.

Those in need of a library card can sign up or renew at the Berkshire Athenaeum. When doing this, patrons will also receive a raffle ticket for a $50 Downtown Pittsfield Gift Card or a free Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum membership.

Participating businesses include:

413 Shirts
Ayelada
Berkshire Art Center
Berkshire Fitness & Wellness Center
Berkshire Music School
Berkshire Thistle 'n Thorn Floral
Garden Blossoms Florist
Hot Harry's Burritos
Hot Plate Brewing Co.
Mana Crypt Gaming Center
Marie's North Street Eatery & Gallery
Nene's Deco
On Pointe Barre & Fitness
Sally Tiska Rice Art Studio
Solarium Plant Shop (Opening this September!)
WANDER Berkshires

This promotion is a collaboration with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and is made possible through the contributions of the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.

A brochure listing the discounts offered is available at Athenaeum service desks and online at www.downtownpittsfield.com and www.pittsfieldlibrary.org.

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If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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