BCC Announces Hire of Two Staff Members

07:01AM / Wednesday, August 05, 2026Print Story | Email Story

Justin Maaia and Evan Mayotte

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of two staff members.

Justin Maaia joins Berkshire Community College as Special Programs Coordinator, TRIO. Maaia has been teaching and advising students since 2005, first at Saint Joseph Central High School in Pittsfield and, most recently, at the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. In addition to teaching religious studies and philosophy courses, he has mentored teachers as a visiting scholar and now consultant for the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education. Maaia holds an MA from Boston University and a BA from Suffolk University. A native of Berkshire County, he loves to hike with his wife and daughters and have dinner at home with close friends.

Evan Mayotte joins BCC as a Maintainer I. Mayotte was born in Pittsfield and has lived here his whole life. A self-proclaimed huge sports fan, he especially enjoys football. His favorite team is the Miami Dolphins. Mayotte also enjoys reading, music, games and spending time with friends and family.

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the POST Commission.

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub.

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission.

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted. On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April.

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday.

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads.

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline."

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