U.S. Rep. Neal Schedules District Office Hours

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal will hold district office hours in seven communities in Berkshire and Franklin Counties this week to give local citizens an opportunity to share their concerns directly with a congressional staff member.

During distinct office hours, staff will be able to assist those who have questions regarding Social Security benefits, veteran's benefits, immigration applications and other federal programs. Some district office hours will be shared with other state and local elected officials to make it easier for constituents to meet with their representatives. Neal will continue to hold weekly district office hours throughout the 1st Congressional District during the months of April and May.

"I have always believed that good constituent service is the lifeblood of any elected office. You simply have to give constituents an opportunity to have their voices heard," said Neal. "That is why I am holding these district office hours all across the 1st Congressional District this spring. I want the people of Berkshire and Franklin County to know that my staff is always there to serve capably serve them."

In addition to his district office hours, Neal has full-time office in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building, 78 Center St., Pittsfield. The office can be reached at 413-442-0946. Constituents traveling to Washington, D.C., can visit his office in Room 2208 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The direct line is 202-225-5601.


TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Noon to 1 p.m.:  Hancock Town Hall, 3650 Hancock Road

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Cheshire Town Hall, 80 Church St.

3 to 4 p.m.: Dalton Town Hall, 462 Main St., with state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing and Rep. Paul Mark's staff

ServiceNet Warming Center Hosted 126 People This Winter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:46AM / Monday, April 07, 2025

ServiceNet manages the warming shelter next to the church. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — ServiceNet's warming center has provided more than heat to unhoused individuals over the last four months and will run to the end of April.

It opened on Dec. 1 in the First United Methodist Church's dining area, next to ServiceNet's 40-bed shelter The Pearl. The agency has seen 126 individuals utilize the warming center and provided some case management to regulars.

While this winter was a success, they are already considering next winter.

"I've been on this committee many years now. There's probably only a few months out of the year that I don't talk about winter, so I'm always trying to plan for next winter," Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

"We are in this winter and I'm already thinking what's going to happen next winter because I want to be really clear, winter shelter is never a given. We don't have this built into the state budget. It's not built into our budget, so there is always trying to figure out where we get money, and then where do we go with winter shelter."

She pointed out that warming centers are "very different" from shelters, which have a bed. The warming center is set up like a dining room, open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and folks are welcome to stay for breakfast.

"We are asking people to come in, get warm, be out of the elements," Forbush explained.

The warming center will close on April 30.