[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:22] We're reaching out our six o'clock, the Pizfield City Council will now come to order, please rise for a moment of silence.
[0:36] Council of Costa, we please leave us in the pledge.
[0:38] Hi, my name is Julie Flash, I'm the United States of America, and to the public for which it stands, one of the nation under God, and it is
[0:55] a calm matter for me.
[0:58] Are you ready to go?
[0:59] Here.
[1:00] I'll serve you, sir.
[1:01] Here.
[1:01] Mr. Costa, here, Councillor Sear, here,
[1:04] Councillor Noto, here, Councillor Ren.
[1:07] Here, Councillor Percept, here.
[1:09] Councillor Lampiazzi, here, Councillor Warren.
[1:11] Here, here, Councillor Cavy, here.
[1:13] Councillor Cone.
[1:14] Here.
[1:17] Madam Clerk, we've item number three.
[1:22] Proclamation and recognition of the Pitzfield High School Softball Team.
[1:29] Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:30] Tonight we are here to honor many Pitzfield High Softball,
[1:35] baseball and other athletes and their success is this fall.
[1:40] Thank you for taking that at number three other order because unfortunately these lovely ladies have another engagement and 30 minutes and that engagement is probably more exciting than this right.
[1:49] So if their coaches could join me along with their principal.
[2:06] So I'd like to present you with a certificate of recognition where it's pitchfield is a home to many sports teams with talented, dedicated and hardworking athletes.
[2:13] The Pittsfield High School's softball team is a perfect example.
[2:17] The team persevered to become the 2024 Western Mass Champions ending the season with a 21-4 record.
[2:23] And whereas the coaching staff comprises of Brian McNadol, Rick Arponte, Kristen Crawford,
[2:28] and Julianna Pierce are to be committed for the leadership and support to the Pittsfield High School softball team.
[2:33] And where members of the team are Sadie Akin,
[2:36] Not only are in hold, my or Pontag Ella Bassi
[2:41] Cecilia Centano, Maya, their Hadesus,
[2:46] Paxon Ebbling, Gianna Lavari,
[2:50] the very of Lopez is a bell McDonald,
[2:53] Sofia Peckham, Amanda Powell,
[2:55] Ava Risheli, and Cameron Ranada.
[2:58] We recognize the individuals for their dedicated team work
[3:00] and exemplary sportsmanship in representing the city of Pittsburgh.
[3:03] And whereas this is the first Western mass title earned by the Pittsfield High School Girls
[3:07] Softball Team since 2018, the team also completed the state championships for the first
[3:12] time since 2004.
[3:14] Now, therefore, I, Peter M. Marketti, mayor of the city of Pittsfield, and behalf of its
[3:17] citizens and city officials, hereby congratulate the Pittsfield High Girls Softball Team
[3:22] on all of their athletic accomplishments in the 2024 season.
[4:13] I don't number two, Madam Clerk.
[4:15] I have a recommendation and record vision of the Pittsburgh High School Baseball Team.
[4:23] Mr. Mayor, thank you, Mr. President, and if I could be joined by the boys' coaches and
[4:31] I
[4:34] would like to present a certificate of recognition,
[4:36] where as Pittsburgh has a home to many sports teams,
[4:39] with talented and dedicated hardworking young athletes,
[4:41] the Pittsburgh High School Boys Baseball Team is a perfect example.
[4:45] The team persevered to become the 2024 Western Mass Champions,
[4:48] and in the season in a 20-to-6 record,
[4:51] where as the coaching staff comprises of Drew Pierce,
[4:54] Kyle Castella, Ellie Eddie Mullin,
[4:56] Eight in Hillard, Frank McKee and Benstor are to be committed for the leadership and the support of the Pittsfield High School Boys Baseball Team.
[5:04] And whereas members of the team, Cam Harrington, Nick Brindell, Rochon Warrior, Caden Bowen, Simon Mellie, Jack Abel, Ben Jacob, Connor Devine, Jake Reed, or Jack Reed, Jack DuCat, Brandon Gutzmer, David Wildgoose, Matthew Borega, Cam Hillard, Jason Cody,
[5:22] morey-fried Anthony Furrier, Matthew Egan, and Camden's Abado and Jackson Elmeta.
[5:28] We recognize these individuals for their dedicated teamwork and exemplary
[5:31] sportsmanship and representing the City of Pitsfield.
[5:34] Whereas this is the first western mass title earned by the Pitsfield High School
[5:37] Boys, Baseball Team since 2004, and the team also completed
[5:41] and the state championship the last time in 2004.
[5:44] Now, therefore, IP to our marketing mirror, the City of Pitsfield.
[5:47] On behalf of the citizens and city officials,
[5:49] to hear about congratulate the Pizfield High School Boys, Baseball Team, and all of their
[5:53] athletic accomplishments in the 2024 season.
[6:18] Well, I would be leaving.
[6:25] Item number three, Madam Clerk.
[6:27] Are four?
[6:28] He's a certificate of recognition of Pizfield High School student, Jake Bassie.
[6:47] Can I have it yet?
[6:49] Almost, but not yet.
[6:50] All right.
[6:52] So I'd like to present a stick to a career recognition to the city of Pizfield,
[6:54] proudly honors and recognize it's Pizfield High School's Jake Bassie for competing
[6:58] and the Massachusetts Summer Special Olympics at Harvard University on June 8, 2024, earning
[7:04] a gold and a standing lung jump and a silver and the softball through. Congratulations.
[7:09] Thank you.
[7:38] For open microphone, when I call your name, please come to the podium.
[8:12] If you've
[8:14] Would you like to say that?
[8:14] Could you give your name an address?
[8:16] Yeah, Bruce Seminata, 612 West of Stonic Street.
[8:20] Firstly, I'd like to say that Mayor Murchetti and his ship of foolish counselors should
[8:26] forfeit their 30 pieces of silver as an act of contrition for stabbing the taxpayers in the
[8:31] bank.
[8:33] I'm demanding that you cease and disdain with any more of your wasteful folly, including
[8:38] but not limited to the ripping up of North Street again,
[8:43] which is just a waste of money in less, of course,
[8:46] that will cut down on the savings and shootings
[8:49] and bar top dancing and over-serving at the meth bar,
[8:53] then maybe it's worth it, but I doubt it.
[8:58] I've compiled the list of the city of Pitfield
[9:01] can save the taxpayer's some money.
[9:04] They include, but are not limited to,
[9:06] a claw back of the $200,000 that you've had the hand out of $200,000 to roots, dreams,
[9:14] and muster seeds,
[9:18] and the elimination of the DIE office, Titsil seemed to have existed without
[9:26] such a ridiculous office,
[9:30] the elimination of emotional, emotionally, emotional support coaches,
[9:36] The elimination of cultural deficiency coaches,
[9:43] $390,000 for the restoration of a belt-hour at the Dream Center.
[9:47] Really, that's what our tax money goes to.
[9:49] Because I don't think I like that at all.
[9:52] Actually, I don't like it.
[9:55] And again, I'm going to revisit this $650,000
[9:59] plus for a sewer system for arrowhead.
[10:02] As I said, they should just raise the money
[10:05] and put in their own septic field.
[10:07] They seem to have existed for decades with a septic field.
[10:14] I'd also like the roads that are in really bad shape
[10:18] that they be concentrated on, because they're all
[10:21] over the city of Pittsfield, and they're terrible.
[10:24] I mean, you want to reconfigure North Street for bicyclists,
[10:27] But yeah, motorists have to dodge pot holes, raise sewer,
[10:35] lids, all kinds of just the mass everywhere in the city.
[10:46] Thank you.
[10:50] Paul Gregory,
[11:04] first of all, I think it was wonderful the awards
[11:07] in doing it here in the city council.
[11:09] That is something that's very special about this community.
[11:13] And I want to thank you in the mayor and make yourselves available.
[11:18] That was just fantastic.
[11:21] I'm here to speak.
[11:21] I'll give you a name and address.
[11:23] Thank you.
[11:23] Paul Gregory, 25, Roswell and Drive.
[11:27] Well, the budget talks have come and gone.
[11:29] Request for a level funded budget was made in January.
[11:34] It was met with skepticism and a threat to cut services to the people of Pittsfield.
[11:40] And now is the time to increase water bill rates that will be tied into inflation rates, increase
[11:46] property taxes, city departments remaining fully staffed with more accountability.
[11:52] All funded, we have 48 gallon totes that were just passed, a contract awarded to Kaselleth
[11:58] Waste Management with, and I don't always believe what I've read in the angle, but something
[12:04] about the language on the contracts, still needing to be worked out, but there seems to have
[12:09] been a rush to award the contract. I'm confused by this.
[12:15] I have to ask, what are my taxes
[12:16] paying for? We need more teachers in the classroom not more administrators and offices. Remember
[12:23] the question to ask, not how many positions have been laid off when the school year ends. The
[12:30] question to ask, as an educator, worked in the Pitzfield Schools for 15 years, how many positions
[12:35] are recalled in July and to August, then you truly know the cuts that the school department
[12:42] identified for you all. The budget talks have quite a down with a city budget at 215
[12:49] million, and the school budget at 83 million. There were two proposals made actually three
[12:55] during the budget talks for the school, $750,000, which was not approved by this council,
[13:03] $250,000, which was not approved by this council, and then a token cut made by council,
[13:12] vice president, a percent in the amount of $200,000.
[13:15] And I want to personally thank him for at least doing something.
[13:19] Whether it was symbolic or not, it doesn't matter.
[13:22] 82.7 million dollars for the school department.
[13:26] On the last point I want to make is, when you break down the city school department, each one
[13:33] of these pennies represents $200,000.
[13:40] Each one of those pennies represents $200 and this is what you cut from the school budget.
[13:51] I'm telling you, I watch you from home.
[13:54] The votes you take now, you're going to be reminded of later when you want to occupy those
[13:58] same seats.
[14:00] Using academic language to label this token effort of a proposal budget request, if Dean
[14:09] Second failed, you failed miserably.
[14:12] The reality of your inaction will be realized by some citizens of the city of Pittsfield
[14:16] who no longer can afford to live in Pittsfield.
[14:20] And I'll end.
[14:21] Which right isn't always popular?
[14:24] What's your third minute?
[14:25] It's always right.
[14:26] Are you ready to do the right thing?
[14:32] Thank you.
[14:33] The last name on the list is Kevin Sherman.
[14:42] Kevin Sherman.
[14:43] 43.
[14:44] Kramer 11.
[14:45] Good evening Mr. President.
[14:46] Council members.
[14:47] Mayor Marquetti.
[14:49] Thank you as Paul said.
[14:50] I want to thank you all for the time that you took to honor and celebrate the student
[14:53] athletes in Pizfield High School this evening.
[14:56] I had the opportunity to attend several baseball and softball games.
[15:01] And I also had a good fortune to coach a lot of the softball girls in the younger years. And I can say, with full confidence, as great as there is athletes, they're better human beings. So thank you for honoring them.
[15:12] And the great shake-bassy, they don't come better than Jake, just an inspiration to everybody. And I'm here in the vein of baseball on softball to do a unpaid advertisement for a, because baseball on softball, we continue to have a passion in our community and just want to take a minute to promote and event this Saturday.
[15:29] built around those games, which is the striking out cancer in the
[15:33] Berkshire's that's going to be held at 9 a.m. I clap park the
[15:37] Saturday, June 29th. It's an event that Joe de Cico started
[15:44] four years ago through great loss. He found his passion to support
[15:48] the Dana Firebrer and Jimmy Fund all proceeds go to that.
[15:52] There's an old timer's game at 9 o'clock in the morning,
[15:54] soul pitch softball and then baseball players that are in shape. Follow that for the record.
[15:59] I'm in the old-timers game. As I said, I was created by Joe de Cico who really works year
[16:04] around on this. He raised close to $9,000 last year on a $10 person fee. That's how hard he
[16:12] works at this. He gets corporate sponsorships. The generosity of our community as you all know
[16:16] is phenomenal small businesses and residents. So for $10, you can play in a game, get a t-shirt,
[16:21] but also includes in my case two hard, two torn hamstrings and a pulled quadricep, those don't
[16:26] aren't easy to come by. So you don't have to play to donate. If you can come down and watch,
[16:32] I'm here to invite you all and those watching at home, come down and enjoy a day of celebrating
[16:37] the game we love and also honoring those who have we've lost through this despicable disease
[16:42] and those who are still going through it. Cancer doesn't discriminate. It touches all of us.
[16:48] Mr. Visecos, the tremendous job and we want to continue to grow how much he's raising.
[16:53] We'll also have local legends, Carter LaCas, throwing out a first pitch as well as Mary Ann
[16:57] Bassie, Jake's grandmother who we're dealing with with situations.
[17:02] So, thank you all for your time, consideration, and your service.
[17:05] Thank you, tough.
[17:05] Keep smiling, and we'll see you around.
[17:07] Thank you.
[17:08] Thank you.
[17:12] Madam Clerk, can we have item number six?
[17:15] The
[17:18] approval of the June 11th, 2024, minutes.
[17:21] Councillor Costick and I have a motion.
[17:23] Motion to approve.
[17:24] On the motion to approve, is there any debate or discussion?
[17:28] Here in your scene on all those in favor, please signify the usual manner.
[17:33] Any opposed?
[17:34] Additional unanimous.
[17:35] Item number seven.
[17:36] A communication from Mayor Marquette E.
[17:38] appointing Erica Strader, Hope Rose Kelly, Anthony King,
[17:43] and Ellen Spear to the Pizfield Cultural Council.
[17:46] Councillor Costick.
[17:47] Motion to approve on the motion to approve is there any debate or discussion
[17:52] Here in seeing that all those in favor please you can find the usual manner. Any opposed that is unanimous
[17:59] Thank you Erica for being here and is there anyone else
[18:08] Thank you for your service
[18:10] Item number eight madam clerk
[18:13] Hearing that decision from Verizon to England and ever source to relocate a poll on East Street
[18:20] Thank you at this time. I will
[18:22] I'm hearing to the petitioner.
[18:26] Good evening.
[18:27] My name is Steve Clawbert.
[18:28] I work for Pike Telecom.
[18:30] We are an engineering firm for Verizon,
[18:32] so I'm representing Verizon.
[18:34] If you don't mind, I'll just do a summary reading
[18:37] off the petition.
[18:40] This is on E Street,
[18:42] relocate one jointly owned poll.
[18:45] T3 E18 to a point on the southeast side of E Street.
[18:50] Approximately two hundred and seven feet.
[18:53] North Easterly from the center line of Elm Street.
[18:57] The reason is to relocate one joint in the own poll on East Street to extend conduit
[19:03] 15 feet to the new poll location needed to accommodate a poll line electric upgrade and to
[19:10] provide for the distribution of intelligence and telecommunications and for the transmission
[19:15] of high and low voltage electric current.
[19:20] Thank you if you want to take a seat, I'll open it up to the public.
[19:23] Okay.
[19:25] Hearing is now open up to the public, is there anyone who would like to speak for or against?
[19:31] For a second time, is there anyone who would like to speak for or against?
[19:36] For a third and final time, is there anyone who would like to speak for or against?
[19:41] Hearing, you're seeing an untaxler-cost economic promotion.
[19:44] Motion to approve.
[19:45] On the motion to approve, is there any debate or discussion?
[19:50] Hearing, you're seeing that and all those in favor, please signify the usual manner.
[19:53] Any opposed to that is unanimous item number nine, I don't work.
[19:58] A public hearing and a petition from the Community Development Board to amend city code chapter 23 article 23-7.850 recreational marijuana retail and marijuana retail required.
[20:15] That should have said medical retail requirements.
[20:20] At this time, I will open hearing up to the representative of the petitioner.
[20:34] Even everyone, my name is Nate Joyner, I'm from the Department of Community Development
[20:37] and I'm representing the Community Development Board on their petition here before it is
[20:41] night.
[20:43] As you mentioned, this is the second public hearing on this item and final public hearing.
[20:48] And what we've gotten from you is a really narrow zoning amendment to remove language from
[20:53] section 7.850 regarding the number of retail cannabis businesses allowed in the city.
[21:02] We're doing this in advance of changing policies around post-community agreements and we want to
[21:07] eliminate any potential conflicts in the ordinances, so that's the purpose.
[21:13] All right.
[21:14] Thank you.
[21:16] Is there anyone from the public who would like to speak for or against?
[21:20] For a second time, is there anyone from the public who would like to speak for or against?
[21:26] For a third and final time, is there anyone from the public who would like to speak for or against?
[21:31] Hearing you're seeing none, I will now close that portion, and if there's no objections, take item number 11 out of order.
[21:42] A report from the Ordinance and Rules Committee on Appetition from the Community Development Board, requesting to amend
[21:48] City Code Chapter 23 article 23-7.850, Recreational Miracle on a Retail and or a Miracle on a Retail
[21:58] Requirements.
[22:01] Thank you on the report, Councillor Costa.
[22:03] Motion to place on file.
[22:05] Motion to accept the report and place on file.
[22:07] Is there any debate or discussion?
[22:10] Here in your scene, all those in favor, please submit to find the usual manner.
[22:15] Any opposed?
[22:17] And now on the ordinance.
[22:19] Motion to ordain.
[22:20] On the motion to ordain, is there any debate or discussion?
[22:27] Here in your scene, on the roll call, Madam Clerk.
[22:30] House or Costa?
[22:32] Yes.
[22:32] House or seeer?
[22:33] Yes.
[22:34] House or noto?
[22:35] Yes.
[22:35] House or white?
[22:37] Yes.
[22:39] Isn't it white?
[22:41] House or percept?
[22:41] Yes.
[22:42] Mr. LePiazzi, yes, Mr. Warren, yes, Mr. Kavie, yes, Mr. Cohnett, yes, Mr. Mueso, yes.
[22:51] That is unanimous. Thank you, Nate, and Director Dodds for being here.
[22:57] We'll now return to the regular order business for item number 10.
[23:02] A communication from engineer shed requesting to file item 13 on finished business to make changes at the intersection of Fenstery, North Street and Deepo Street.
[23:13] Junior Shud, see you one a week.
[23:17] So basically there's communication with the mayor and Ricardo and felt that it's better to incorporate
[23:26] this change into anything else that would be happening with the part and configuration study
[23:32] that was presented earlier in the year and sort of the result of that because the sort of
[23:38] Intent behind this is to change the geometry
[23:41] to prevent vehicles from side swiping
[23:44] when continuing straight to depot and right onto north.
[23:49] When the lane is on north street got changed,
[23:53] cars turning north have to go further straight than they used to.
[23:56] They then bump because of the misalignment on depot street.
[24:01] It seems like it was sort of in the immediate years,
[24:05] year or two after that change that the accidents occurred.
[24:10] They were all generally low speed, low risk to, you know,
[24:14] passenger safety and vehicle damage type things.
[24:17] So we thought like it can wait for that reason
[24:20] and that it would allow more transparency and discussion
[24:23] with the public than the current process had.
[24:28] So for that reason, they just table it and, you know,
[24:31] keep it in mind going forward for North Street.
[24:34] to file it, not table.
[24:36] Sorry, yeah.
[24:37] Sorry.
[24:38] No, just being clear.
[24:40] Thank you.
[24:42] Councillor Costack for motion.
[24:44] Motion to accept the report and place on file.
[24:46] On the motion to accept the report and place on file, is there any debate or discussion?
[24:51] Here, we're seeing none.
[24:52] All those in favor, please signify the usual manner.
[24:55] Any opposed?
[24:56] That is unanimous.
[24:58] And then, to go along with that,
[25:00] under unfinished business.
[25:04] Item number 13, please.
[25:06] Item number 13.
[25:07] Item number 13.
[25:07] Your report from the traffic media and a petition from
[25:10] Engineer Chef, requesting to look into changes
[25:12] at the intersection of Fenstery, or street in depot streets,
[25:16] requesting to approve three to zero,
[25:18] tables from March 26, 2024.
[25:21] That's so fantastic.
[25:22] Can I have a motion?
[25:23] Motion to just report in place on file.
[25:27] Just yeah, that's fine on the motion to accept the report and place on file, is there any debate or discussion
[25:40] Hearing you're seeing on all those in favor, please you can find the usual manner. Any opposed that is unanimous
[25:47] Thank you
[25:49] Engineer Shudd is there anything under rule 27
[25:57] You're seeing nothing Councillor Costa
[26:00] Motion to adjourn. On the motion to adjourn, all those in favor, please signify the usual manner.
[26:06] Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That is unanimous. We are adjourned.