PITTSFIELD, Mass. — At the request of the City Council, Mayor Daniel Bianchi is working to form a new volunteer committee to examine the pros and cons of privatizing the way the city manages its water infrastructure.
"It is probably one of the most valuable things that we possess as a community, our water resources," Bianchi told iBerkshires. "Consequently we have to be very careful."
"I think it's something we should start the conversation on," said Ward 4 Councilor Christopher Connell, who proposed a study group to explore privatizing the water department and waste-water treatment plant. "I think we really need to analyze this, and get some information, to see if this going to be worth our while."
"We do a very good job, running our water plants. We're very efficient," said Bianchi of city's current operations. "With that said, from time to time, it is important that we take a look at the possibilities of managing things in a slightly different way."
Connell says there are several national firms that handle water and waste water treatment for municipalities that might offer the city a more efficient option.
"We're getting by right now," Connell told the City Council, which last week voted unanimously to refer the proposal to the mayor.
Connel said there are a variety of challenges to managing both departments, from staffing to necessary repairs and improvements needed to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations going forward, challenges he believes may potentially be better handled by outsourcing to a private company.
Bianchi said he is reaching out to prospective members to form this new committee, and is looking for individuals with a range of different expertise to inform its deliberations, from those knowledgeable about the science of water treatment to residents with backgrounds in business and accounting to help evaluate the financial aspects.
Those with engineering backgrounds and others "who can look at it, with just a fresh set of eyes" are also desirable, Bianchi told iBerkshires.
The mayor said he anticipates the new study group will be up and running within the next month. In his proposal, Connell suggested it would take about three months for the group to study the issue and provide its findings.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: This Luxury Home Has Plenty of Amenities
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LENOX, Mass. — Are you looking for a big house to enjoy your days with a big movie theater, a sauna, and more? Then this is the house for you.
Built in 2004, this seven-bedroom, and nine-bathroom home is 7,073 square feet on more than an acre. The home comes with an elevator to the lower level to access a theater, sauna, gym, wine cellar, massage room, and its very own soda fountain.
The home also has a guest house with a saltwater pool. A multi-car garage greets you with heated floors.
The this home is listed for $4,950,000 and is located in the 125-acre, gated Pinecroft compound.
We spoke to Leslie Chesloff, the listing agent with William Pitt Sotheby's.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Chesloff: This gated Berkshire stone estate truly redefines luxury living in the Berkshires. What sets it apart is the rare combination of resort-style amenities and complete privacy. The property offers Canyon Ranch-level wellness living with a full spa experience at home — including a sauna, massage room, and gym — plus an eight-seat hi-def theater with wine cellar for entertaining. The heated, gunite saltwater pool and spa are complemented by a fully equipped pool house with a guest suite and complete kitchen, perfect for extended family or guests.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
The moment you step inside, you're struck by the quality and craftsmanship — those 300-year-old reclaimed timber floors set an immediate tone of authenticity and warmth. The scale is impressive but never overwhelming; this is a home designed for gracious living, not just show. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and thoughtful flow between spaces create an inviting atmosphere that balances grandeur with genuine comfort.
How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?
This home feels like a private wellness retreat meets sophisticated family estate. There's a serene, spa-like quality throughout — enhanced by features like the sauna, steam shower, and massage room — but it never feels clinical or cold. The Berkshire stone exterior and reclaimed timber floors ground the home in a sense of place and permanence. It's designed for people who appreciate the finer things but want to actually live well — whether that's screening a film in the eight-seat theater with wine from your own cellar, hosting poolside gatherings, or simply unwinding in your own spa sanctuary.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
This is perfect for the discerning buyer who values wellness, privacy, and culture in equal measure. I envision someone who spends their days hiking or exploring the Berkshires, then comes home to unwind in the sauna or pool. They might entertain guests in the theater wine room, host multi-generational gatherings with family staying in the pool house guest suite (which has a full kitchen), and appreciate being minutes from Tanglewood, world-class dining, and Berkshire arts.
This could be an executive looking for a primary residence with work-from-home flexibility (there's an office/bedroom suite), a wellness-focused family, or empty nesters who want to host adult children and grandchildren in style and comfort.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Picture Saturday morning: you're sipping coffee on the terrace overlooking your heated saltwater pool, planning a day at Tanglewood. Your guests are making breakfast in the pool house kitchen — they have their own private retreat but are steps away when you're ready to gather. Evening arrives, and you screen a favorite film in your eight-seat theater, selecting a perfect bottle from your wine cellar. This isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle that brings resort-level wellness, entertainment, and hospitality to your doorstep — all within a secure, maintenance-free compound where nature meets luxury.
Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?
Absolutely. The home includes an elevator for multilevel accessibility, which is both practical and forward-thinking. The lower level is exceptionally well-conceived — a true entertainment and wellness wing featuring the eight-seat hi-def theater, wine cellar, sauna, gym, massage room, and even a charming soda fountain. The gourmet kitchen has been recently updated, customized wet bar, while outdoor living is elevated with the heated gunite saltwater pool/spa, firepit, and that incredible pool house with guest suite and full kitchen. Also, new HVAC system and heated driveway.
Thoughtful details like cedar closets, steam showers, central vacuum, and backup generator show this home was built to the highest standards.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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