News & Notes: City Clerk Stepping Down; Santa on Parade

By Larry KratkaBerkshire News Network
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Phillips Leaving Pittsfield City Hall

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City Clerk Jody Phillips will be stepping down from her office on Jan. 1. 

This week's edition of the Pittsfield Gazette reports that Phillips decided to accept a position with General Dynamics. Phillips told the Gazette that it was a difficult decision to make but the opportunity happened at just the right time. 

Phillips was elected as city clerk in 1998 and voted to a lifetime tenure by city residents in 2005. In the meantime, Mayor James Ruberto is expected to name an interim city clerk and the position will be on the 2009 municipal election ballot.

Santa Parade Tomorrow

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — If you're in the mood for parade, be in downtown Pittsfield tomorrow morning at 10 for the annual Santa Parade to kick off the annual Santa Fund.  

Organizers say they have firetrucks, bands including the Excelsior Drum and Bugle Corps from New York, and other marching units. The parade will travel from Edwin Street behind the Crowne Plaza, to Park Square then proceed up North Street to Maplewood Avenue, where they will disband behind St. Joseph's School. 

Included in the parade will be a Christmas Stocking Brigade to collect money for the Santa Fund, which has a goal this year of $45,000. 
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Pittsfield Firefighters Battle Early Morning Blaze in Extreme Cold

iBerkshires.com Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – No injuries were reported after firefighters extinguished a fire in a two-story detached barn and garage at 566 South St. early Sunday morning.
 
The Pittsfield Fire Department just after 2 a.m. responded to reports of a building “fully involved” with the blaze.
 
“All personnel battled the blaze under extreme cold conditions with the main body of fire being brought under control within an hour,” according to a news release from the department.
 
The two-alarm fire brought all on-duty personnel to the scene, where they remained until about 6 a.m. to extinguish all remaining hot spots.
 
Hinsdale Fire Department was asked to respond with its firefighter rehab bus “due to the extreme cold conditions,” according to the news release.
 
There are three residences within 100 feet of the barn, but none were in danger during the fire, Deputy Chief Neil Myers said in the release.
 
The owner’s residence was not damaged in the blaze.
 
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