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Police are investigating human remains found by parks workers at Wahconah Park on Tuesday.

Human Remains Found at Wahconah Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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A swampy area of the grounds is taped off at Wahconah Park. 

Update at 3:53 p.m.: Police say the remains were collected by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and that they were in an advanced state of decomposition. No identification has been made. 

A city employee who was cutting brush in the park made the discovery but that location is not part of the baseball field. 
 
The detective bureau is investigating and police said there is no indication of any threat to the general public. 
 
Anyone who can provide information is asked to call 413-448-9705. Information can also be provided anonymously via 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).
 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are investigating human remains found Tuesday on the grounds of Wahconah Park.

A swampy area between the parking lot and the park on Wahconah Street was taped off after a late morning call from the Parks Department reporting the find.
 
"We were called by the Parks Department," Police Cpt. Matthew Kirchner said. "We're investigating. We have a deceased party."
 
He said parks workers were doing routine maintenance when the body was found at approximately 11 a.m.
 
iBerkshires was on the scene at about 1:15 p.m. and police said no further information could be released at that time about the identity, age or gender of the remains. Police were waiting for the medical examiner to arrive.  
 
Police would not confirm or deny a report about the condition of the remains.
 
"We are waiting for the medical examiner's office," Kirchner said. "There will be an investigation done."
 
The taped area around where the body was found is blocked off from the public but the park and the parking lot remain open. The area appears not far from open space and is next to a baseball backdrop, which is also taped off.
 
The patrol division, Crime Scene Services and the detective bureau were on the scene.  


 


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Pittsfield Council to See 10-Year Charter Review Report

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following almost two years of work, the Charter Review Committee has made its recommendations to the City Council.

Tuesday's council agenda includes the committee's report dealing with governance items such as the charter objection, term limits, and financial procedures. Every 10 years, a panel reviews the City Charter, which defines the city's structure of government.

"The Charter Review Committee was established by city ordinance in May 2023. Its first meeting took place on August 7, 2023, under the direction of City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta," Chair Michael McCarthy's executive summary reads.

"Solicitor Pagnotta informed the committee that its mission is to offer recommendations to city government concerning the Charter."

The charter objection was the most discussed issue throughout the preview process.  Members determined "the City's interest in a functioning government is not served well by a Charter' Objection being made by a sole Councilor."

The nearly 50-page report proposes amendments to Article 2 Section 9C, Charter Objection, to allow for discussion, require three supporters, and be prohibited when it pertains to the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

"The Committee felt strongly that the budgetary process should not be held hostage to a Charter Objection. The process of approving a budget under the Charter involves months of hearings with firm calendar restrictions, leading to a budget that must be in place before each fiscal year begins," McCarthy wrote.

"A Charter Objection during this process would have the potential to disrupt and delay the budget being in place on July 1 of each fiscal year."

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