BCArc Announced Supervisor Promotion

07:34AM / Wednesday, December 03, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. &mdash Berkshire County Arc (BCArc) named Maryellen Lassalle as the newest Brain Injury Residential Supervisor.

Previously she was Site Manager at program in Russell for six years.

Lassalle will oversee programs in Westfield, Southwick, Southampton, and Russell.

"She has been a wonderful asset since starting with BCArc nearly 10 years ago," said Maryann Hyatt, President & CEO. "She has brought a high level of compassion and expertise to her program, and we look forward to her leadership as a Supervisor."

Born and raised in Holyoke, Maryellen lives in Westfield. Before joining BCArc, she worked in nursing homes in a variety of capacities for 15 years.

"As site manager of Russell, I opened the new program six years ago and worked to create a culture of family," she said. "I will miss working here every day, but I will still be part of the program and am excited to support and provide care for the other houses, individuals, and staff I will work with. I am excited to take on a new challenge. I am grateful for this opportunity."

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

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 restructure 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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