Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women Host Public Hearing

07:58AM / Monday, March 23, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women (BCCSW) will host a public hearing on Saturday, March 28 from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Pittsfield Public Library at the Berkshire Athenaeum (1 Wendell Ave) to hear directly from women and girls across Berkshire County.

The Commission invites women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to share their concerns, experiences, and policy priorities. Participants may offer oral testimony or submit written statements for the record. Testimony gathered at the hearing will be compiled into an official report and shared with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) and Massachusetts state legislators to help inform state policy.

This public hearing provides a structured opportunity for residents to speak directly into the policymaking process — ensuring that the lived experiences of women and girls in Berkshire County are reflected in local and statewide decisions.

To support broad participation, a Spanish-language interpreter will be present and first aid–certified childcare will be provided on site.

"This is about listening," said Marissa Meehan, Secretary of the Commission. "We want to hear directly from the women and girls in our community to understand what's working and what needs to change. Even from our corner of the Commonwealth, Berkshire voices deserve to meaningfully inform Massachusetts policy."

Taking place at the start of spring — a season of renewal and new beginnings — the hearing is an opportunity to come together and build something better for our community. Gathering in the heart of our county's largest city, in a space provided at no cost by our public library, also reflects what thoughtful public policy can make possible: free, welcoming places where neighbors can exchange ideas and be heard. This event offers not only a chance to share concerns, but an opportunity to help shape the kinds of policies that create more spaces and support like this for all.

The hearing is open to the public. Community members are welcome to attend in support.

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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
05:58PM / Monday, October 12, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.

On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.

"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.

Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.

As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.

Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.

"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.

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