Pittsfield Senior Tax Work-Off Program Now Accepting

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Applications are now available for the city of Pittsfield's Senior Tax Work-Off Program for Fiscal Year 2025. 
 
Eligible candidates must be Pittsfield residential property owners 60 years of age and older at the time of the application.
 
Program applications must be postmarked or received by the Assessors' Office by May 31, 2024.
 
Active municipal employees are not eligible for the Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program.
 
There will be a limit of two participants per eligible property; however, the total abatement cannot exceed the maximum exemption of $2,000. Income eligibility shall be determined by using the locally adopted income eligibility guidelines of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59, Section 5, clause 41D (plus an additional $5,000). 
 
The selection of participants will be based on need and shall be valid for one year.
 
In the event that other opportunities become available, qualified volunteers not selected for this program will be placed on a waiting list in order of need. The city is not obligated to offer another position if a volunteer declines an assignment.
 
If you are married, your yearly income cannot exceed $43,786.00; for an individual, yearly income cannot exceed $36,890.00. All volunteer work must be completed between June 1, 2024 and November 30, 2024.
 
An application for this program can be found on the city website: http://cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/board_of_assessors/index.php
 
Applications are also available at the Assessors' Office, which is in City Hall, Room 108, 70 Allen St.
 
For more information, contact the Assessors' Office at (413) 395-0102.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Lift Still in Limbo; ADA Picnic Tables Coming

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The lift for Town Hall has run into a conflict, Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator Alyssa Maschino informed the committee on Thursday. 
 
According to Hill Engineering, Town Hall could install a vertical lift in the Police Department's closet and go up into the town account's office. However, no one wants to give up the closet or office, she said. 
 
The lift has been out of service since December because of safety concerns. In the meantime, people with disabilities can use the lift in the library to access the town hall. 
 
Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful. 
 
Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town. 
 
According to a Garaventa Lift representative, a new lift in the same location can be installed, but the railings need to be replaced, committee Chair Patrick Pettit said. 
 
Committee member David Wasielewski asked if Hill Engineering considered installing an elevator on the outside of the building.
 
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