Pittsfield Named One of Nation's Digital Inclusion Trailblazers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named the City of Pittsfield as a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the city's efforts to close the digital divide. 
 
This is the second time Pittsfield is being recognized with this designation.
 
NDIA awarded a total of 60 awardees representing municipal, county, and regional governments.
 
In an increasingly connected society, digital inclusion—access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training—is essential not only to participate in today's world but also to finding greater opportunities to thrive using tools to navigate the internet confidently and independently, stated a press release.
 
"The City of Pittsfield is honored to be recognized as a Digital Equity Trailblazer for the second consecutive year," said Michael Obasohan, chief diversity officer. "This acknowledgment underscores our city departments' commitment to ensuring equitable access to digital resources for all residents. We remain dedicated to closing the digital divide and fostering inclusive digital opportunities that empower our entire community."
 
"In the past decade, we've seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive," said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. "NDIA's Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents."
 
Pittsfield achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents of their communities through:
  • Awarded implementation grant to start first phase of our Digital Equity Plan
  • Tech Talks with the Council on Aging
  • Technology Resource Fair at Berkshire Athenaeum
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PHS Air and Water Quality Within Accepted Levels

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Air and water quality testing at Pittsfield High School came back within acceptable levels, and the administration is open to additional testing. 

Last week, the School Committee accepted test results on the facility that has sat on East Street for nearly 100 years.  The report was done in collaboration with Atlas Technical Consultants and the Pittsfield Water Department. 

Readings were "acceptable" in all tested locations, and there are recommendations for monitoring humidity, replacing equipment, and additional air monitoring when needed.  Some retesting needed to be done, and a couple of sink faucets were removed in the process. 

"If you want every room sampled, we can do it," Mayor Peter Marchetti said in response to Ciara Batory's concerns about air sampling in only a handful of rooms. 

"This is the report that came back, and this report does not show that children are in danger."

Limited indoor air quality readings were done in rooms 102, 103, 104, and 116 on June 31.  Air quality testing was also done two years ago. 

Humidity levels were slightly above American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers guidelines in rooms 103 and 104; monitoring and dehumidification are recommended. 

The report says that mold spores captured in rooms 103 and 104 likely originated from an indoor source.  Custodial deep cleaning was done right before samples were taken, and a retest showed levels within an acceptable range. 

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