Pittsfield To Examine Privatizing Water Treatment

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.

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.