Pittsfield Health Board Plans Mosquito Task Force, Public Outreach

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health will establish a task force to handle mosquito control after efforts to resume to spraying were not supported by the City Council.

This part of the panel's path forward after unsuccessfully recommending that the city resume mosquito spraying, which was discontinued in 2021. Last summer, six mosquitos tested positive for West Nile virus but there were no reported human cases.

After members are added to the subcommittee, it plans to meet in early March ahead of the BOH's April meeting — also ahead of mosquito season.

"I would also want to have someone that has consistently and historically expressed articulated concerns that sits on the City Council to be part of this because we don't want us to be doing the Lucy and Charlie Brown football thing again," member Brad Gordon said, explaining that the panel has put in a lot of work in good faith and when the matter goes to the council there is a disconnect.

Director of Public Health Andy Cambi said he and Chair Roberta Elliot had a meeting with Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, chair of the Conservation Commission, and Conservation Agent Robert Van Der Kar on how they want to tackle the overall mosquito plan.

"I think our goal is to have more input on the actual services that are being provided," Cambi said, explaining that Health Department staff would make sure that everything outlined in the plan is happening.

Part of the community engagement will be a public meeting at which the public can state concerns and have their question answered. This will also include a representative from the state to discuss Massachussetts' mosquito plan.

Elliot said this will "hopefully" be a good way to educate the community on mosquito control.

"We have a couple of ideas around things that we may want to do differently with the larvicide and all of that," she said.

Marchetti Details Six Months of 'Going Bold' at 1Berkshire Lunch

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:47AM / Monday, June 10, 2024

1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butlers says the relationship between the business community and the new Pittsfield mayor is off to a good start. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Six months in, Mayor Peter Marchetti detailed his progress in plans to "go bold or go home" during a 1Berkshire luncheon last week.

"My motto over the past six months as some members of the [Pittsfield Economic Development Authority]and my business development director has heard, we're going to go bold, or we are going to go home," he said to a crowd of more than 120 at the Proprietor's Lodge on Wednesday.

"I have four years to make a difference. And I plan on making that difference in four years."

President & CEO Jonathan Butler said the relationship between the business community and elected leaders is critical to making progress and collective success.

"In the case of Mayor Marchetti, this relationship is already off to a strong start. The mayor comes into this position with a deep understanding of the importance of partnerships and the value of bringing different voices together to solve problems," he said.

"Additionally, the mayor's dual background of coming from a career in business, while also serving many years on the City Council and other public roles gives him a unique understanding of the importance of quality dialogue and partnership between the city and his business community."

Marchetti reported that the city's business development team is working on five sets of business prospects — including the first developer for Site 9 at the William Stanley Business Park. The 16 1/2-acre parcel has been a "blighted and sore spot in the community for many decades" but began its journey toward revitalization this year.

"I'm working with a Pittsfield Development Authority board to work on securing the future developer for this site and surrounding places and hoping that we'd be able to make that announcement very soon, as the negotiations are well underway," he said.