Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation Elects New Leadership

10:58AM / Wednesday, January 14, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) elected a new President and Vice President at its Annual Meeting on Dec. 12.

Longtime President, Jay Anderson stepped down after more than 20 years of service. PERC Board members elected former Vice President Mark McKenna as his replacement, and elected Mike Willson as the new Vice President.

PERC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community development corporation that assists small businesses in Pittsfield. Leveraging State and Federal funds, PERC offers Technical Assistance Grants, Small Business Loans, Consulting, and access to other resources throughout Berkshire County.

Its Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from local community organizations such as Pittsfield Co-op, Carr Hardware, Smith Watson and Co LLP, Dulye Leadership Experience, and more.

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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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