Pittsfield Street Improvement Project: Sept. 29 - Oct.3

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. (September 25, 2025) – Please be advised that the following street improvements are scheduled from September 29 to October 3:
 
Highway Department Paving Projects:
  • Michael Drive
  • Devonshire Avenue
  • Mystic Street
  • Massachusetts Avenue
 
Contracted Paving Projects:
  • 9/29 & 9/30: Lowering structures on Vista Street, Tamie Way, Taconic Park Drive & Allengate Avenue
  • 10/1 & 10/2: Milling on Vista Street, Tamie Way, Taconic Park Drive and Allengate Avenue
  • 10/3: First course of paving on Vista Street, Tamie Way and Taconic Park Drive
Road line painting (crosswalks, directional symbols, etc.):
  • 9/29, 9/30 and 10/1: Elm Street, East Street (between Park Square and Elm Street), Highland Avenue and Lincoln Street.
The schedule and locations are subject to change based upon weather. On-street parking, for the above streets, is prohibited during this work between the hours of 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
 
West Street project update
Curbing work will continue during the week followed by the start of construction of the new sidewalks and bike paths. During this work, lane closures at various sections are expected. We encourage drivers to seek alternate routes if possible.
Additional utility underground work, in the right of way, will be occurring on the following streets:
  • King Street
  • Valentine Road (between West Street and Taconic High School)
  • Holmes Road
  • Franklin Street
  • Circular Avenue/Robbins Avenue/Division Street
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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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday. 

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection. 

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data.  Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost." 

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor. 

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