Pittsfield Tax Rate May Drop But Bills Rise

There will be a tax classification hearing during Tuesday's City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

Pittsfield Council Passes $216M Budget, Cuts Schools

Councilors approved a $215,955,210 spending plan that is a 5 percent increase from this year and includes a $200,000 reduction to the $82 million Pittsfield Public School budget. The budget passed 10-1 with Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto in opposition.

Big Votes Await Pittsfield City Council

Tuesday is a big day for Pittsfield, as the City Council will take a final vote on the fiscal 2025 budget, a five-year trash contract, and water and sewer rates.

Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs Last of FY25 Budgets

The Pittsfield Police Department's nearly $15 million budget generated the most conversation, including an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the Shotspotter and body camera line by $250,000. Other departments were supported with little or no discussion.

Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs 12 Departmental Budgets for FY25

The City Council breezed through 12 departmental budgets on the third day of hearings for fiscal year 2025. All were preliminarily approved with a unanimous vote.

Pittsfield Council Cuts School Budget After 'Unprofessional' Comments

The City Council preliminarily approved a $216 million budget for fiscal year 2025 with a last-minute reduction to the schools.

Pittsfield Council Gives Preliminary OK to $82M School Budget

It was a divisive vote, passing 6-4 with one councilor absent, and survived two proposals for significant cuts.

Pittsfield Council Endorses 11 Departmental Budgets

The City Council preliminarily approved 11 department budgets in under 90 minutes on the first day of fiscal year 2025 hearings.

Pittsfield School Committee OKs $82M Budget, $1.5M Cuts

The school budget is less grim than the original proposal but still requires more than $1.5 million in cuts.

Chapter 70 Fix Adds $2.4M to Pittsfield School Budget

Marchetti Defends Pittsfield Tax Rates in Advance of FY25 Budget

Mayor Peter Marchetti defended the city's tax rate on Tuesday, asking residents to look at all of the figures before making a judgment.

Pittsfield School Officials Dig Into 'Not Ideal' FY25 Budget

Superintendent Joseph Curtis reiterated that the $80 million spending plan is not ideal but assured that the district will continue to serve its community with pride, purpose, compassion, and understanding.

Pittsfield Mayor Open to Level/Service Funded Budget

Mayor Peter Marchetti won't support the sacrifices a level-funded city budget would entail but is willing to compromise.

Pittsfield Public School Budget Cuts Trigger Little Feedback at Hearing

The proposed districtwide reductions include 27 teachers, 26 paraprofessionals, and seven instruction and accountability coordinators.

Pittsfield's $80M School Budget Proposal 'Not Ideal,' Cuts Over 100 Employees

The school administration delivered a somber budget presentation for fiscal 2025, including a proposed reduction of more than 100 staff members.

New Finance Subcommittee Sees Pittsfield Q2 Financial Review

The Finance subcommittee last week was presented with a second-quarter review of fiscal 2024, which ended on Dec. 31.

New Pittsfield School Committee Meets for First Time

The new School Committee met for the first time on Wednesday, organizing its leadership and approving a budget calendar for fiscal 2025.

Pittsfield Council Divided on Level-Funded Budget Petition

Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso is stunned by tax rate increases and wants the city to take immediate action in preparation for the fiscal 2025 budget season.

Kronick's Charter Objections Cause Unrest in Pittsfield Council Chambers

President Peter Marchetti pleaded for him to reconsider the motions, as these costs will become taxpayers' burden if they are not appropriated by the end of the fiscal year on Friday.

Pittsfield Council Approves $205M Budget

The City Council approved a $205 million operating budget for fiscal 2024 on Tuesday.

Pittsfield City Council Gives Initial OK to Police, Public Services Budgets

On the last day of fiscal 2024 budget hearings last week, the City Council preliminarily approved five departmental spending plans and a $205 million city budget.

Pittsfield Budget Day 3: School Budget

The City Council preliminarily approved a $78 million budget for the Pittsfield Public Schools on Tuesday, up almost 8 percent from the previous year.

Pittsfield 2024 Budget Day Two: 14 Budgets Reviewed

In the second session of fiscal 2024 budget hearings, the City Council preliminarily approved 14 departmental spending plans on Wednesday.

2024 Budget Day 1: Pittsfield Council OKs 9 Department Budgets

The City Council preliminarily approved nine departmental budgets on Wednesday, the first day of hearings for fiscal year 2024.

Pittsfield Council Refers FY24 Budget Items to Committee of Whole

The proposed operating budget for FY24 is $205,634,497 — almost $17,000,000 or 8.9 percent higher than the this year's budget of $188,822,018.