Berkshire Community Mobilizes for Harm Reduction 'Day of Action'

02:45PM / Wednesday, June 24, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2026, community members will participate in Harm Reduction "Day of Action" across Berkshire County.

Following successful outreach projects this spring, workers will again go door to door to distribute lifesaving overdose prevention supplies, and to share resources and knowledge directly with residents in areas with higher ratios of opioid-related emergency 911 calls.

Staff from several Berkshire County public health agencies and substance use awareness groups will team up with community members to raise awareness of changes in the opioid and stimulant supply, particularly among people who use more recreationally. The initiative will also distribute naloxone and resource guides, help to connect individuals with support services, and combat the stigma surrounding substance use.

Outreach efforts will take place from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, June 27, in North Adams, and from noon to 4 pm on Sunday, June 28 in both Pittsfield and North Adams. Participants will have completed a mandatory training session and will carry identification and leave-behind materials with them.

The "Day of Action" is in partnership with the Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative (BOAPC) and Berkshire Harm Reduction. It aims to reduce overdoses and connect neighbors to vital resources.

This work is supported by a grant from the Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership and the town of Hancock, funded by the MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and powered by RIZE Massachusetts Foundation.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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