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Pittsfield council accepts $17,500 MassDEP grant to boost waste diversion; new business manager introduced
Summary
City councilors unanimously approved acceptance of a $17,500 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection; staff said funds will bolster enforcement and support pilot waste-diversion programs such as composting. The meeting included an introduction of new business manager Kate Muscus.
The Pittsfield City Council voted unanimously to accept a $17,500 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to support enforcement and new waste‑diversion programs.
Why it matters: City staff said the modest award will supplement existing funds the city is holding for waste programs and that it could support initiatives such as municipal composting and enhanced enforcement to improve recycling and diversion rates.
Commissioner Morales presented the grant acceptance item and introduced the city’s new business manager, Kate Muscus, who attended the meeting. Muscus told the council she was present for questions; staff said the funds will be used to bolster enforcement and to pilot or introduce diversion programs such as composting.
Councillor CABE asked whether the grant would be used for specific initiatives such as municipal composting. Morales and Muscus replied that the grant funds would be banked alongside existing program funds (which Morales referenced as a balance of about $60,000–$70,000) and used to strengthen enforcement and support new diversion programs.
The council approved the grant acceptance motion without recorded opposition.
Votes at the meeting: Motion to accept a $17,500 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection — approved unanimously.
