Berkshire Athenaeum's Employee Earns Mass History Alliance Award

08:13AM / Wednesday, June 15, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts History Alliance has awarded Ann- Marie Harris, a longtime staffer in the Berkshire Athenaeum's Local History Department, with its STAR Award.

The Mass History Alliance, which recognizes excellence in local and public history in Massachusetts, designates the award to specifically honor a "long-term commitment, outstanding work with concrete results, exemplary innovation, local leadership for change, and contributions to equity and justice," according to a press release.

Harris, who has been a full-time staff member since 2003, received the award at the organization's conference held in June.

During her tenure, Harris has become a partner of the Berkshire Family History Association, including welcoming volunteers and over 80,000 rolls of microfilm during the library's integration of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) archives.

Library Director Alex Reczkowski said the award was a fitting recognition for Harris' comprehensive service.

"Ann-Marie's expertise is far-reaching. She has long been an expert on digital microfilm machines, even serving as an early tester for ScanPro, an industry leader," said Reczkowski, of Harris, who's also a lifelong resident of Pittsfield. "Her passion for sharing what she knows has shown in her coordination of annual third grade classroom visits to the library and previous service on the district board of the Boy Scouts of America. Her service continues as a current member of the Pittsfield Historical Commission. The Athenaeum is proud to have their 'STAR' recognized."

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:57PM / Friday, December 26, 2025

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said.

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board.

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries.

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use.

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac.

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application.

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