Pittsfield Board of Health Considers Subcommittees

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health is considering developing subcommittees to take a deeper dive into topics within its purview.

Last week, the board's newest member, Dr. Jeffrey Leppo, a cardiologist, suggested the implementation of subcommittees for topics such as housing, opioid settlement, RF radiation, and community health.

It will be on the agenda for the board's next meeting and members are expected to bring ideas for possible subcommittees.

Leppo suggested the subcommittees because more than two members cannot discuss agenda items out of session due to the Open Meeting Law. Subcommittees with one or two board members would be a good resource.

"I think it would be helpful for the group to have more input into stuff that is going on on a regular basis," he explained.  

He pointed out that it would also help inform members of the board before they are expected to take a formal vote and take some of the pressure off Director of Public Health Andy Cambi.

"I'm very open to it, like I said, it's not about dictating what the staff do, but more just having that collaboration or having that resource," Cambi said. "Because we all think all the board members are very valuable with their expertise."

Chair Bobbie Orsi recalled that the board previously used an ad hoc model -- which takes issues as needed -- and put that forward as an option.

"Subcommittees are only as good as the topics that you have because they can die real quickly," member Brad Gordon said, adding that he has seen higher productivity in ad hoc committees.

Leppo pointed out that the panels would report back to the board for a final decision. He described the proposal as "information gathering."

Member Kim Loring said it would be preferable to have two members of the board present on subcommittees to avoid bias.

With the mention of RF, or radio frequency, radiation, Orsi gave an update on the cell tower at 877 South St.

Late last month, residents of the Shacktown neighborhood filed a civil action suit in Berkshire Superior Court against Mayor Linda Tyer, City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta, Pittsfield Cellular Telephone Co. (Verizon Wireless,) and the Board of Health.

The ART is a coalition of organizations that push back against 5G.

"My wife and I have traveled here tonight to give special recognition to the Pittsfield Board of Health for the actions that you've taken to protect the health and safety of the residents of Pittsfield," he said.

"Your situation has not been an easy one to endure and you certainly deserve the appreciation of tens of thousands of Americans across the country who are suffering from involuntary exposure to radiofrequency RF radiation."

In other news, the board discussed various suggestions for fine-tuning its tobacco regulations after being presented with them at its last meeting.  

The two main suggestions address products that slip through the state's bans and "smoking bars."  No decisions were made but the board suggested holding off on a new policy decision to regulate the sale of flavored rolling papers that do not have tobacco or nicotine in them and another regulation for "smoking bars."

The matter will also be on the next meeting's agenda and there will be a public hearing for the proposed changes in October.

Habitat For Humanity Modular Homes Coming to Robbins Ave.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Friday, April 11, 2025

The homes will be available for residents earning between 55 and 65 percent of the area median income. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first of two below-market modular homes arrived on the West Side on Thursday, and both are expected to be move-in ready this summer.

The other is expected next week.

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is building two below-market condominiums at 112 Robbins Ave. for families earning between 55 percent and 65 percent of the area median income. Monthly costs for the three- and four-bedroom units are expected to be less than $1,500 with Habitat's subsidies.

Modulars allow for quicker construction to get more families into quality, affordable housing.

"Just because we have such an aggressive schedule this year, we are doing many modulars in addition to the stick-built that we usually do," communications manager Erin O'Brien explained.

Just this year, the nonprofit is constructing five homes in Pittsfield and 10 in Housatonic.

The two homes at 112 Robbins Ave. will come to $148,000 for a three-bedroom with the 20 percent subsidy and $156,000 for a four-bedroom. Similar homes in the Pittsfield area are valued between $225,000 and $250,000.

While prices are subject to change, the three-bedroom condo will cost owners about $1,430 per month and the four bedroom $1,495 per month, compared to renting in the city for more than $1,800 per month. Habitat noted that this provides a potential annual savings of $4,500 to $6,000, while building equity and long-term financial security.

The eligibility range between 55 percent and 65 percent AMI is said to support families who earn too much for most housing subsidies but still struggle to afford market-rate homes.