PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti said his administration is working to improve the structure of the Department of Public Services and Utilities.

At the last City Council meeting, Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey presented a petition requesting that Marchetti and Commissioner Ricardo Morales restructure the department.

Specifically, he would like to see the highway division and traffic division merged and update the standard operating procedures to streamline efficiency and improve outcomes in the city.

"As you know from previous documents, we are working to make improvements to the structuring of the department," Marchetti wrote in advance of Tuesday's council meeting.

"While we are not certain that the merging of the two divisions is the answer, we are committed to making the necessary enhancements to ensure efficiency and improve outcomes across the city and will keep you informed of our next steps."

In July, the Personnel Review Board supported the creation of a deputy commissioner in the department that would assist Morales.  The full-time position, if approved by the City Council, will have a Grade M-8 pay scale with a yearly salary ranging from $89,247 to $116,021.

Marchetti engaged with a former commissioner shortly after taking office in January and asked for him to offer suggestions about how the department could be run more efficiently.  This position was recommended and Morales agreed that changes need to be made to set the department up for success.

According to the FY25 budget, the highway division's major activities include street paving work and pothole repairs, sidewalk installation and maintenance, street sweeping, and stormwater system maintenance.  The traffic division's responsibilities include compliance inspection of contractor street work, streetlights and traffic signals maintenance, contracted tree work, traffic signs, and public parking enforcement.