Much of Pittsfield at Home Monday During Snowstorm
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students and city workers stayed home on Monday after the school district and City Hall declared a snow day. Much of the city followed.
"Due to the anticipated snow accumulation and difficult travel conditions expected later today and into tomorrow, all municipal buildings in the City of Pittsfield will be closed to the public on Monday, January 26," the city announced on Sunday.
"We anticipate opening for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 27. Emergency and storm crews remain in full operation."
More than a foot of snow was dumped on the region throughout the day on Sunday, and picked up again before 11 a.m. on Monday. The weekend also saw below-zero temperatures, and an Extreme Cold Warning was in effect from Friday on.
The Pittsfield Public Schools called off Monday classes on Sunday, and closed the Mercer Administration Building. A message that pops up on the district website reminds families to stay safe.
Berkshire Community College also closed its campus on Sunday and Monday because of the weather.
On Monday morning, the city reported 16 to 40 inches across Pittsfield, with totals varying by elevation, location and drifting. Additional inches of snow were expected throughout the day.
"As expected, our crews have had better success maintaining main roads compared to neighborhood streets," a 7:30 a.m. update from the city reads.
"We are now focused on opening up streets, plowing, and treating to break down remaining snow and ice."
There will be a one-day delay in trash and recycling pickup due to paused services on Monday.
Gov. Maura Healey directed non-emergency Executive Department state employees not report to their workplaces on Monday, and is urging employers to consider having employees work remotely to the extent possible.
The State Emergency Operations Center was activated at the headquarters of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in Framingham, along with regional emergency operation centers in Agawam, Tewksbury, and Franklin.
With the closure of City Hall on Monday, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee was canceled and will be rescheduled. On the agenda is a petition from Councilors at Large Alisa Costa and Earl Persip III requesting that explanatory language be added to City Council agendas to help residents understand each process and expectation, and a petition from Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi requesting to amend City Council Rule 1C.
Lampiasi asked that the rule be rewritten so that individuals speaking at public comment must sign their name and city of residence to address the council, instead of stating their full name and address on public record.
She asked that this explanatory statement be added:
"The Council recognizes that requiring a speaker's full home address during a televised meeting may deter participation by residents with legitimate safety or privacy concerns, including survivors of domestic violence, individuals involved in sensitive legal matters, tenants fearing retaliation, youth, and residents experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Identification by name and city of residence maintains transparency and confirms that speakers are members of the community while reducing barriers to safe, equitable public participation."
A conversation on AI with state Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier and digital navigator Samuel Pascual was moved from Monday to February 9 because of the weather. It will be held at 6 p.m. at 4 Frederico Drive, Suite 2 in Pittsfield.
Tags: snowstorm,
