[0:23] Reaching the hour or six o'clock, the Pitzfield City Council will now come to order. Please rise for a moment of silence.

[0:36] Councilor Costa, we please lead us in the pledge.

[0:41] The United States of America and the Republic for which it stands, one one nation under God.

[0:59] Here.

[1:00] Councillor Musso.

[1:02] Here.

[1:02] Councillor Costa.

[1:03] Here.

[1:03] Councillor Sear.

[1:04] Here.

[1:05] Councillor Noto.

[1:06] Here.

[1:06] Councillor Ren.

[1:07] Here.

[1:08] Councillor Percept.

[1:09] Here.

[1:09] Councillor Lampiazzi.

[1:11] Here.

[1:11] Councillor Warren.

[1:12] Here.

[1:12] Mr. Kavy, Councilor Cone.

[1:15] Here, Madam Clerk, we have item number three.

[1:22] Reclamation and recognition of the Pitzfield High School softball team.

[1:29] Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:31] Tonight we are here to honor many Pitzfield High softball, baseball, and other athletes.

[1:37] And their success is this fall.

[1:41] Thank you for taking out a number three out of order, because unfortunately these lovely ladies have another engagement.

[1:46] and 30 minutes, and that engagement is probably more exciting than this one.

[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 Pitzfield is a home to many sports teams with talented,

[2:12] dedicated, and hardworking athletes.

[2:14] The Pitzfield High School's softball team is a perfect example.

[2:17] This team persevered to become the 2024 Western Mass Champions ending the season with a 21 to 4 record.

[2:23] And whereas the coaching staff comprised of Brian McDonald,

[2:26] Ronald, Rick Arpante, Kristen Crawford, and Julianna Pierce are to be committed for

[2:31] their leadership and support to the Pittsburgh High School softball team.

[2:34] And we're members of the team, RCD, Akin, Natalie Arnhold, Mia Arpante, Ella Bassi,

[2:42] Cecilia Centeno, Maya DeJesus, Paxton Ebbling, Gianna Lavardi, Naveia Lopez, Isabelle

[2:53] Mike Donald, Sophia Peckham, Amanda Powell, Ava Rochelle, and Cameron Renata.

[2:58] We recognize the individuals for their dedicated teamwork and exemplary sportsmanship in representing the City of Pittsfield.

[3:04] And whereas this is the first Western mass title earned by the Pittsfield High School Girl Softball team since 2018.

[3:10] The team also completed in the state championships for the first time since 2004.

[3:14] Now therefore, I, Peter M. Arquetti, mayor of the City of Pittsfield.

[3:17] On behalf of its citizens and city officials, to hereby congratulate the Pittsfield High Girl Softball team.

[3:22] on all their athletic accomplishments in the 2024 season.

[4:14] I don't number two, Madam Clerk.

[4:18] Preclimation and record vision of the Pitzfield High School Baseball Team.

[4:23] Mr. Mayor, thank you, Mr. President, and if I could be joined by the boys, coaches, and the principal.

[4:32] I

[4:34] like to present a certificate of recognition, whereas Pistula is a home to many sports teams with talented and dedicated hardworking young athletes.

[4:41] The Pistula in high school, baseball team is a perfect example.

[4:45] This team persevered to become the 2024 Western Mass Champions and in the season in a 20 to 6 record.

[4:51] Whereas the coaching staff comprised of Drew Pierce, Kyle Castella, Ellie, Eddie Mullin,

[4:57] Aiden Hillard, Frank McKeon, and Ben Store are to be commended for their leadership and to support the Pittsfield High School Boys baseball team.

[5:04] And whereas members of the team, Cam Harrington, Nick Brindle, Rashon Warrior,

[5:10] Kaden Bohm, Simon Mellie, Jack Abel, Ben Jacob, Conor Divine, Jake Reed,

[5:16] or Jack Reed, Jack Duquette, Brandon Gutsmer, David Wildgoose, Matthew Berega,

[5:21] Cam Hillard, Jason Cody, Morrie Fried, Anthony Freira, Matthew Egan, and

[5:26] Camden Zabato and Jackson Elmeda.

[5:28] We recognize these individuals for their dedicated teamwork and

[5:31] exemplary sportsmanship in representing the City of Pittsfield.

[5:34] Whereas this is the first Western mass title earned by the Pittsfield High School boys.

[5:38] Baseball team since 2004, and the team also completed in the state championship the last time in 2004.

[5:45] Now therefore, I.P.D.R. Marquetti made the City of Pittsfield.

[5:47] On behalf of the citizens and city officials, do you hereby congratulate the Pitzfield High School Boys baseball team on all their athletic accomplishments in the 2024 season?

[6:19] Everybody's leaving.

[6:25] Item number three, Madam Clerk, are four.

[6:28] The certificate of recognition of Pitzfield High School student, Jake Bassie.

[6:47] Can't have you yet.

[6:49] Almost but not yet.

[6:50] All right, right?

[6:52] So I'd like to present a six of convert recognition to the City of Pitzfield, probably honors and

[6:56] and recognize its Pitzfield High Schools, Jake Bassi, for competing in the Massachusetts Summer Special Olympics at Harvard University on June 8th, 2024, earning a gold in a standing lawn jump and a silver in the softball throw.

[7:09] Congratulations, thank you.

[7:39] For open microphone, when I call your name, please come to the podium.

[7:43] Give your name and address, and please keep your comments to three minutes or less.

[7:47] Deborah Simaneta.

[8:13] First, I'd like to say that-

[8:15] I'd give you a name in the address.

[8:17] Yabra Simanata, 612 west of Stannock Street.

[8:21] First, I'd like to say that Mayor Marbcetti and his ship of foolish councillors should

[8:26] forfeit their 30 pieces of silver as an act of contrition for stabbing the taxpayers in

[8:32] the bank.

[8:33] I'm demanding that you cease and assist with any more of your wasteful folly, including, but not limited to.

[8:41] The ripping up of Nord Street again, which is just a waste of money.

[8:46] Unless, of course, it will cut down on the stavings and shootings and bar top dancing and

[8:52] over serving at the meth bar, then maybe it's worth it, but I doubt it.

[8:58] I've compiled a list of the city of pit, where the city of Pitfield can save the taxpayer some money.

[9:04] They include, but are not limited to, a clawback of the $200,000 that you've, the handout of $200,000 to root streams and

[9:15] the master's seeds and the elimination of the DIE office.

[9:23] Pitthill seemed to have existed without such a ridiculous office.

[9:29] The elimination of emotional, emotionally emotional support coaches.

[9:37] The elimination of cultural deficiency coaches.

[9:44] $390,000 for the restoration of a bell tower at the Dream Center.

[9:48] Really, that's what our tax money goes to, because I don't think I like that at all.

[9:52] Actually, I don't like it.

[9:56] And again, I'm going to revisit the $650,000 plus for a sewer system for Arrowhead.

[10:02] As I said, they should just raise the money 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 that they be concentrated on,

[10:21] because they're all over the city of Pitfield and they're terrible.

[10:25] I mean, you want to reconfigure Nord Street for bicycleist, but

[10:28] The motorists have to dodge potholes, raise sewer lids, all kinds of just a mess everywhere in the city.

[10:46] Thank you.

[10:50] Paul Gregory,

[11:04] first of all, I think it was wonderful the awards and doing it here in the City Council.

[11:10] That is something that's very special about this community and I want to thank you

[11:15] who in the mayor and making yourselves available, that was just fantastic.

[11:21] I'm here to speak, I'd like to give you a name and address.

[11:23] All right, thank you, Paul Gregory, 25, Roswell and Drive.

[11:27] While the budget talks have come and gone, the 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,

[11:46] increase property taxes, city departments remaining fully staffed with more accountability.

[11:52] All funded, we have 48 gallon tops that were just passed, a contract awarded to Kaselec waste management.

[12:01] And I don't always believe what I read in the eagle, but

[12:05] But something about the language on the contract still needing to be worked out,

[12:09] but there seems to have been a rush to award the contract.

[12:11] I'm confused by this.

[12:15] I have to ask, what are my taxes paying for?

[12:19] We need more teachers in the classroom, not more administrators and offices.

[12:23] Remember, the question to ask, not how many positions have been laid off when the school year ends.

[12:30] The question to ask, as an educator, worked in the Pitzfield schools for 15 years.

[12:35] How many positions are recalled in July and to August?

[12:40] Then you truly know the cuts that the school department identified for you all.

[12:45] The budget talks have quieted down with the city budget at 215 million.

[12:50] In the school budget at 83 million, there were two proposals made actually three during the budget talks for the school.

[12:57] $750,000, which was not approved by this Council, $250,000, which was not approved by this

[13:07] Council, and then a token cut made by Council Vice President Percept in the amount

[13:14] of $200,000, and I want to personally thank him for at least doing something, whether

[13:20] with symbolic or not it doesn't matter, $82.7 million to the School Department.

[13:25] But the last point I want to make is when you break down the city school department, each one of these pennies represents $200,000.

[13:40] Each one of those pennies represents 200 grand, and this is what you cut from the school budget.

[13:51] I'm telling you, I watch you from home, the votes you take now, you're going to be reminded of later when you want to occupy those same seats.

[13:59] Using academic language, the label is token effort of a proposed school budget request.

[14:09] 15 seconds failed.

[14:10] You failed miserably.

[14:12] The reality of your inaction will be realized by some citizens of the city of Pitzfield,

[14:17] who no longer can afford to live in Pitzfield.

[14:20] And I'll end.

[14:22] Which right isn't always popular, which you're at three minutes always right.

[14:27] Are you ready to do the right thing?

[14:28] Thank

[14:32] you, the last name on the list is Kevin Sherman.

[14:43] Kevin Sherman, 43, Cromwell Avenue.

[14:46] Good evening, Mr. President, Councilmembers, Mayor Marquetti.

[14:49] Thank you, as Paul said, I want to thank you all for the time that you took to honor and celebrate the Student Athletes and Petsville 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 their younger years. And I can say with full confidence that as great as they are as athletes, they're better human beings. So thank you for honoring them and the great Jake Bassie, they don't come better than Jake, just an inspiration to everybody. And I'm here in the vein of baseball and softball to do an unpaid advertisement for a, because baseball and softball we continue to have a passionate community and just want to take a minute to promote an event this Saturday built around those games.

[15:29] games, which is the striking out cancer in the Berkshires, that's going to be held at 9 AM,

[15:36] a clap park this Saturday, June 29th.

[15:40] It's an event that Joe DeCicco started four years ago, through great loss.

[15:46] He found his passion to support the Dana Firebird and Jimmy Find all proceeds go to that.

[15:51] There's an old timers game at 9 o'clock in the morning, sole pitched softball, and

[15:55] then baseball players that are in shape follow that for the record.

[15:59] I'm on the old timers game, as I said, is created by Joe DeCico who really works year round on this.

[16:05] He raised close to $9,000 last year on a $10,000 person fee.

[16:10] That's how hard he works at this.

[16:12] He gets corporate sponsorships, the generosity of our community, as you all know, it's phenomenal, small businesses and residents.

[16:18] So for $10, you can play in the game, get a T-shirt, but also includes, in my case, two torn hamstrings and a pulled quadricep.

[16:25] Those don't aren't easy to come by.

[16:28] So, you don't have to play to donate, if you can come down and watch, I'm here to invite you all in those watching at home come down enjoy a day of celebrating the game we love and also honoring those who have we've lost through the despicable disease and those who are still going through it.

[16:44] Cancer doesn't discriminate, it touches all of us. Mr. DeCeco is done a tremendous job and we want to continue to grow how much he's raising.

[16:52] We'll also have local legends, Carter LaCasse throwing out a first pitch, as well as Mary and

[16:57] Bassy, Jake's grandmother, who we're dealing with situations.

[17:02] So, thank you all for your time, consideration and your service, hang tough, keep smiling, and we'll see you around.

[17:07] Thank you.

[17:08] Thank you.

[17:11] Madam Clerk, can we have item number six?

[17:15] The

[17:18] June 11th, 2024 minutes.

[17:21] Councillor Coste, can I have a motion?

[17:23] Motion to approve.

[17:24] On the motion to approve, is there any debate or discussion?

[17:28] Hearing or seeing none, all those in favor, please signify in the usual manner?

[17:32] Aye.

[17:32] Any opposed?

[17:34] Edgy and unanimous.

[17:35] Item number seven.

[17:36] A communication from Mayor Marquetti appointing, Erica Strader, Hope Rose Kelly, Anthony King, and Ellen Spear to the Pistil Cultural Council.

[17:46] Councillor Costa.

[17:47] Motion to approve.

[17:48] On the motion to approve, is there any debate or discussion?

[17:52] Here in your seeing that, all those in favor, please signify in the usual manner.

[17:55] Any opposed?

[17:57] That is unanimous.

[17:59] Thank you, Erica, for being here.

[18:01] And is there anyone else?

[18:08] Thank you for your service.

[18:10] Item number eight, Madam Clerk.

[18:13] Hearing that petition from Verizon, New England, and Eversof's, to relocate a poll on E-Straight.

[18:20] Thank you, at this time I'll hear into the petitioner.

[18:23] Good evening. My name is Steve Clawbert. I work for Pike Telecom.

[18:30] We are an engineering firm for Verizon, so I'm representing Verizon.

[18:34] If you don't mind, I'll just do a summary reading off the petition.

[18:40] This is on East Street, relocate one jointly owned pole number T3, E18, to a point on the

[18:48] the southeast side of East Street, approximately 207 feet north

[18:53] east early from the center line of Elm Street.

[18:56] The reason is to relocate one jointly-owned pole on East Street

[19:01] to extend conduit 15 feet to the new pole location needed to accommodate

[19:07] a pole line electric upgrade and to provide for the distribution of

[19:12] intelligence and telecommunications and for the transmission of high and

[19:16] from the mobile to the 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.

[19:27] 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 or seen on Councillor Coste, a connive motion?

[19:44] Motion to approve.

[19:45] On the motion to approve, is there any debate or discussion?

[19:47] Hearing your seeing none, all those in favor, please signify in the usual manner.

[19:53] Aye.

[19:54] Any opposed?

[19:55] That is unanimous.

[19:56] Item number 9 on clerk.

[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 Requirements.

[20:18] All right, at this time, I will open the hearing up to the representative of the petitioner.

[20:33] Even everyone, my name is Nate Einer, I'm from the Department of Community Development, and

[20:37] representing the Community Development Board on their petition here before it's night.

[20:42] As you mentioned, this is the second public hearing on this item and

[20:46] final public hearing.

[20:48] And what we've gotten front of you is a really narrow zoning amendment to remove language from section 7.850.

[20:55] regarding the number of retail cannabis businesses allowed in the city.

[21:01] We're doing this in advance of changing policies around host community agreements,

[21:06] and we want to eliminate any potential conflicts in the ordinances, so that's the purpose.

[21:13] All right.

[21:13] Thank you.

[21:15] 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

[21:24] are against, for a third and final time, is there anyone from the public who would like to speak for or against?

[21:31] Hearing your seeing then, 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 a petition from the Community Development Board requesting to amend City Code Chapter 23 article 23-7.850,

[21:54] Recreational marijuana retail and or marijuana retail requirements.

[22:00] 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, is there any debate or discussion?

[22:11] Hearing your seeing all those in favor, please signify in the usual manner.

[22:14] Aye.

[22:15] Any opposed?

[22:16] 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 on your scene on a roll call Madam Clerk.

[22:30] Councillor Cossack?

[22:31] Yes.

[22:32] Councillor Sear?

[22:33] Yes.

[22:34] Councillor Noto?

[22:34] Yes.

[22:35] Councillor Rinne?

[22:36] Yes.

[22:36] Councillor White?

[22:37] Yes.

[22:38] President White, sorry.

[22:40] Councillor Percipp?

[22:41] Yes.

[22:42] Councillor Lampiazzi?

[22:44] Yes.

[22:44] Councillor Warren?

[22:45] Yes.

[22:45] Councillor Cabe?

[22:46] Yes.

[22:46] Councillor Cohnett?

[22:47] Yes.

[22:48] Councillor Museau?

[22:49] Yes.

[22:50] That is unanimous.

[22:52] Thank you.

[22:56] We will now return to the regular order business for item number 10.

[23:02] Communication from Engineer Shed requesting to file item 13 unfinished business to make changes at the intersection of Fenstery, North Street and Depot Street.

[23:12] January should, see you want to speak.

[23:16] Yeah, so basically, there's communication with the mayor in Ricardo and

[23:23] felt that it's better to incorporate this change into anything else that would be happening with the parking configuration study that was presented earlier in the year and sort of the result of that, because the sort of intent behind this is to change the geometry

[23:41] to prevent vehicles from side-swiping when continuing straight to depot and right onto North.

[23:49] When the lanes on North Street got changed, cars turning North have to go further straight than they used to,

[23:56] they then bump because of the misalignment on depot street.

[24:00] It seems like it was sort of in the immediate years, year two after that change that the accidents occurred.

[24:09] They were all generally low speed, low risk to, you know, passenger safety and vehicle damage type thing.

[24:17] So we felt like it can wait for that reason and that it would allow more transparency and

[24:23] discussion with the public than the current process had.

[24:27] So for that reason, we just table it and keep it in mind going forward for North Street.

[24:34] To file it, not table it.

[24:36] Sorry, yeah, sorry.

[24:37] All right. Nope, just being clear.

[24:39] All right.

[24:40] Thank you.

[24:41] Councillor Coste, I have a motion.

[24:44] Motion to accept the report in place on file.

[24:46] On the motion to accept the report in place on file,

[24:48] is there any debate or discussion?

[24:51] Hearing or seeing none, all those in favor,

[24:52] please signify in the usual manner.

[24:54] All right.

[24:55] Any opposed?

[24:56] That is unanimous, and then to go along with that,

[25:01] under unfinished business.

[25:04] Item number 13, please.

[25:06] Item number 13.

[25:07] A report from the traffic committee on a petition from an engineer shed requesting

[25:11] to look into changes at the intersection of fence street and deep oak streets requesting

[25:16] to approve three to zero, tabled from March 26, 2024.

[25:21] Councillor Crosstic, can I have a motion?

[25:23] Motion to accept the report and place on file.

[25:27] Just.

[25:29] Yeah, that's fine.

[25:33] On the motion to accept the report in place on file, is there any debate or discussion?

[25:41] Hearing your seeing on all those in favor, please signify in the usual manner.

[25:44] Any opposed?

[25:47] That is unanimous.

[25:48] Thank you, engineer Shudd.

[25:50] Is there anything under rule 27?

[25:57] Hearing your seeing, nothing, Councillor Acosta.

[26:00] Motion to adjourn.

[26:01] On the motion to adjourn.

[26:03] All those in favor, please signify in the usual manner.

[26:05] Aye.

[26:06] Any opposed?

[26:07] That is unanimous.

[26:08] We are adjourned.

Pittsfield City Council Meeting 6/25/24

Transcript