Pittsfield Issues Road Cut Moratorium

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield announces that the annual city road cut moratorium will be in effect from Nov. 28, 2025 to March 15, 2026.
 
The road cut moratorium is implemented each winter to keep roads clear of construction work during snow events and to limit the cuts in roads that are filled with temporary patches while hot mix asphalt material is unavailable. Contractors with active permits are advised to complete the work as soon as possible.
 
During this period, steel plates are not to be used to cover open excavations in roads. All road cuts are to be repaired temporarily with concrete, and a final repair made after March 15, 2026 or once hot mix asphalt is available.
 
During the moratorium the Department of Public Works – Engineering Division will not be issuing the following permits:
  • Sewer Public Utility Connection Permit
  • Stormwater Public Utility Connection Permit
  • Water Public Utility Connection Permit
  • Trench Permit
Exceptions are only made for emergency work that is determined to be an immediate threat to the health or safety of a property or its occupants.
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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The American Red Cross declared its second national blood supply crisis in its history on Monday, but community members can breathe easy thanks to Berkshire Health System's blood donor program. 
 
Berkshire Medical System has always had a stationary donor center for autologous donations, which is no longer common practice, and had some O-negative blood on hand that it purchased from the Red Cross prior to having its own blood donor program, said Christine Amuso, blood donor coordinator.
 
Today, Berkshire Health System's blood donor program collects about 2,300 to 2,400 units of blood annually, all of which stays within Berkshire County to help keep local blood supplies stocked. 
 
In some years, the program has reached record collections of about 3,000 units.
 
"That [record has] only happened a couple of times since I've been employed with the program. So, we really have done wonders with the program," Amuso said. 
 
Donating blood through Berkshire Health System's program is accessible, with a donor center at the main campus and a mobile blood unit that travels throughout Berkshire County, including select Saturdays.
 
While appointments for blood donations are strongly encouraged, staff also intentionally leave scheduling gaps to accommodate additional donors who walk in without an appointment. 
 
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