Pittsfield Council Supports BCC Turf Field Project

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The City Council gave its support to the project with a letter to help the group reel in grant funding.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council is throwing its support behind an effort to construct a multipurpose turf field at Berkshire Community College.

A group of volunteers is heading the effort to build new artificial turf playing fields for local sports groups, which includes upgraded lighting, seating, concession and press box.

The field will allow for the three high schools in the city to play sports there as well as open the Berkshires up to tournaments they were previously excluded from holding because of inadequate fields.

"Berkshire County is the only county in the commonwealth that does not have this type of facility," said Michael MacDonald, who is heading the effort. "We are now in the process of seeking grants."

MacDonald said the project is estimated at $1.4 million with engineering upping that figure to close to $2 million. Additionally, the group is raising $300,000, which will serve as an ongoing maintenance fund to keep local sports groups from having to pay user fees.

"There would be many users and opportunities to bring many people in the county to Pittsfield," BCC President Ellen Kennedy said of the ability to hold large tournaments.

The field would be fenced off and scheduling would be done through a committee, MacDonald said. Maintenance is expected to cost $5,000 to $6,000 a year, he said, which is lower than a typical grass field. The college would handle the maintenance.


While Pittsfield youth sports programs won't be charged a user fee, MacDonald said there could be opportunities to add to the $300,000 fund by charging other groups a user fees if they wanted to use it. Meanwhile, the field would be owned by the college.

MacDonald says he hopes to be looking for contractors in July, and Mayor Daniel Bianchi has agreed to propose using $200,000 of city funds to support it. But the group will need help reeling in grant funds for the rest.

Ward 6 Councilor John Krol said the events will help turn BCC into a hub of activity.

The City Council agreed to craft a letter of support to give to legislators and state officials as part of the group's application.

"The ability to host tournaments now, you also have an economic boost. You have people staying in local places and eating in local restaurants," said Vice President Christopher Connell. "That makes it even more worthwhile."

Ward 6 Councilor John Krol said "there is nothing like seeing hundred and sometimes thousands of people" at the college for various events and the field will grow that ability.

"It's really becoming a special place, a real hub in the west side of Pittsfield," Krol said.

Kennedy said the attraction of others to the college will also help the college reach groups that may have not been thinking of going to college at all by breaking down preconceived notions.


Tags: BCC,   playing fields,   tournament,   

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District Moving On From Allegations Against PHS Administrator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district is "moving on" from unsubstantiated allegations against two Pittsfield High School administrators, saying there is no threat.

Dean of Students Molly West returned to work last week after being put on leave in December. The Department of Children and Families has cleared West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard of misconduct claims that surfaced after another PHS dean was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.

School Committee Chair William Cameron on Wednesday emphasized that when such an investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing, fundamental fairness and due process prohibits taking punitive action simply because of allegations. Reportedly, West was also investigated and cleared in the past.

"The circumstances of Mrs. West being placed on administrative leave don't need to be recited here," he said.

"Social media allegations made against her in December, which then regrettably were widely publicized, were not new. They had been heard, investigated, and found meritless by other school districts many years ago, nevertheless, they were disinterred recently by someone providing neither evidence nor a credible source and then reinvestigated twice in the last three months."

Senior Emma Goetze said she was "appalled, deeply disappointed, and frustrated that an administrator who has been placed on leave, someone who has caused significant discomfort and distress to so many students, has been allowed to return to our building."

"I understand that there is an investigation and acknowledge that this individual was cleared but it feels incredibly unjust to me and to many of my peers that despite everything, this person is being given the opportunity to come back," she said. "It's important to recognize that even though an investigation may have found no wrongdoing, that doesn't change the reality of how this individual's presence makes many students feel."

Investigations led by DCF and retired Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the accusations.

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