Pittsfield City Council Tackles Diversity Referrals, Thrift Shop License

PITTSFIELD, Mass. The City Council tackled around a dozen agenda items in two and a half hours on Tuesday.

While a large portion of the conversation was centered around Councilor Karen Kalinowsky's attempt to place a question on the Nov. 7 ballot about the reconfiguration of North Street, there were several referrals and a Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers License approval for a new second-hand shop.

Resident Alfred Shugrue plans to sell new and used merchandise at Other People's Stuff, located at 360 Tyler Street.  This includes electronics, jewelry, furniture, game systems, household items, toys, records, and books.

"I am just looking to open up a store so I can see used electronics, used jewelry, antiques, and stuff," he explained.  "I have been doing this now for quite a few years."

Also, a request to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ambassador program was referred to the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee.  The ambassadors' job is to assist the department in creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment for all city employees.

2022 was the office's inaugural year.  The City Council approved a new six-month budget of $99,760 for the department during its fiscal 2022 budget process and a $169,416 budget for fiscal 2023.

Chief Diversity Officer Michael Obasohan was appointed to lead the department about a year ago.  In December, he said that the work that has been done internally within the city departments and externally with other organizations has been very successful.

Also on the night, a request to increase bilingual proficiency compensation was also referred to the subcommittee.

The ordinance was originally approved in 2020, offering an extra $125 a month for either oral or reading/written fluency, or $175 for both oral and written fluency.

"I believe an increase is warranted given the increased requests our bilingual employees have received from their respective departments and others for translation services," Human Resources Director Michael Taylor wrote.

"Additionally, I have made minor changes to the eligibility section of the ordinance, specifically removing the provision that requires a bilingual individual to be employed for one year to be eligible for compensation under this policy."

The proposed increase would compensate an extra $175 a month for oral or reading/written fluency and $225 a month for oral and written fluency.

Pittsfield City Council Weighs in on 'Crisis' in Public Schools

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
08:59PM / Monday, December 23, 2024

A half-dozen people addressed the City Council from the floor of Monday's meeting, including Valerie Anderson, right.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After expressing anger and outrage and making numerous calls for accountability and transparency, the 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks.

 

At the close of a month that has seen three PHS administrators put on administrative leave, including one who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, the revelation that the district is facing a civil lawsuit over inappropriate conduct by a former teacher and that a staff member who left earlier in the year is also under investigation at his current workplace, the majority of the council felt compelled to speak up about the situation.

 

"While the City Council does not have jurisdiction over the schools … we have a duty to raise our voices and amplify your concerns and ensure this crisis is met with the urgency it demands," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said.

 

About two dozen community members attended the special meeting of the council, which had a single agenda item.

 

Four of the councilors precipitated the meeting with a motion that the council join the School Committee in its search for an investigation and that the council, "be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports or findings submitted to the city."

 

Last week, the School Committee decided to launch that investigation. On Monday, City Council President Peter White said the School Committee has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 30 to authorize its chair to enter negotiations with the Springfield law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas to conduct that probe.

 

Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, the principal author of the motion of support, was one of several members who noted that the investigation process will take time, and she, like Kavey, acknowledged that the council has no power over the public schools beyond its approval of the annual district budget.