BMC to Reopen Main Driveway in Early October

02:35PM / Friday, October 03, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has announced that the main driveway to Berkshire Medical Center, which has been closed for the duration of the city's new rotary project adjacent to BMC, will reopen to vehicular traffic on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.

The main driveway can be accessed from the rotary, north or southbound, and provides convenient access to the front of Berkshire Medical Center and the first-floor entrance to the BMC Medical Arts Complex. Free valet parking is available at both the front entry to BMC and the MAC Complex.

The MAC main parking area was reopened in September, providing nearly 100 additional spaces and also features a new exit to the BMC main driveway, which is expected to open later in October. At this time, the section of North Street that runs directly in front of BMC and its Bishop Clapp Building will remain closed, with an expectation of reopening as a one-way southbound

Tags: BHS, BMC,

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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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