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Berkshire Workforce Board Welcomes Two New Members

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board (BWB) welcomes two community leaders to its Board of Directors. 

The BWB is a non-profit 501C3, and Board members are appointed by the Lead Elected Official, who is the Mayor of Pittsfield.  

"As the lead elected official, I have the opportunity to appoint quality leaders to the Workforce Board. We are working to better educate the 31 Berkshire community leaders about the workforce opportunities in the region and to appoint individuals willing to have tough conversations and take action to improve the economy," Mayor Peter Marchetti addressed the Board of Directors at their quarterly meeting on Sept. 3. "Two new board members were appointed over the summer – welcome."

New Board members are:

Dr. Hara Charlier, Berkshire Community College - Hara Charlier serves as the eighth President of Berkshire Community College. A nationally recognized community college leader, she is committed to expanding access, opportunity, and student success in rural communities. Her career spans more than three decades in higher education, including faculty, academic affairs, student affairs, and executive leadership roles. As President of Berkshire Community College, Dr. Charlier is dedicated to strengthening student success, advancing workforce development, and deepening partnerships that support the Berkshire community and region.

Justin Scaduto, General Dynamics Mission Systems - Justin Scaduto is the Director of Engineering for the Strategic Mission Systems business area at General Dynamics Mission Systems. In this role, he leads a large, cross-functional engineering directorate of more than 1,300 systems engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and technical staff supporting numerous programs across multiple locations for U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force customers. Since assuming this position, Mr. Scaduto has driven organizational growth, expanded engineering capacity, and strengthened execution across the portfolio's strategic warfare systems programs.

"Thank you for taking on this challenge and keeping us aware of labor market needs so we can continue to develop strategies to assist companies, residents, and youth," Board President David Moresi welcomed its newest Board members. "We have jobs and viable careers and are committed to creating a better tomorrow for our community."

 

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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments. 

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work. 

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks. 

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed. 

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.  

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.

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