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Pittsfield Council approves Veil Air Dam takings, zoning and personnel changes; open‑mic time increase fails
Summary
The City Council voted Oct. 8 to approve eminent domain takings for parcels related to the Veil Air Dam remediation, adopted a zoning correction and multiple personnel compensation changes, reactivated the Youth Commission and accepted a state tax law provision; a proposal to extend open‑mic time from 3 to 5 minutes failed.
The Pittsfield City Council on Oct. 8 approved multiple measures including an order authorizing permanent takings by eminent domain of two parcels on Macona Street to support remediation work at the Veil Air Dam, and adopted a series of ordinances and personnel changes that the mayor had recommended.
Councilor Warren and others said the takings are necessary to pursue environmental remediation and to secure available state and federal funds. The motion to approve the eminent domain order passed by roll call 9–0 (nine yes, zero no; two members were not present at roll call). The council recorded the outcome as "Passes 9 nothing."
The council also received and referred to the Finance Committee a mayoral communication proposing an amendment to a tax‑increment financing agreement and referred three proposed ordinances updating city code chapters related to trash and recycling to the Ordinance & Rules Committee for review (next O&R meeting Nov. 4). Those referrals were approved unanimously.
On ordinance and administrative measures, the council accepted reports and ordained changes to the human resources compensation schedule (items addressing the fire chief, the city solicitor/retirement transition and a deputy commissioner position); votes were recorded by roll call and passed unanimously. The council also moved and passed an ordinance correcting zoning language to reflect creation of the DCD district and to remove the BD district.
Separately, the council voted to ordain amendments reactivating the Youth Commission, which the mayor and a public commenter said will include student representation from area middle and high schools; that motion passed 8–0 with one member absent. The council accepted a municipal adoption of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 59, section 5, clause 22I (a local tax exemption option) after brief discussion of alternatives and fiscal impacts; that vote was unanimous.
Not every proposal passed. A petition from Dan Maraglia to increase open‑mic time from three minutes to five minutes was defeated on an 0–8 vote; several councilors said longer public comment periods would lengthen meetings without improving engagement.
Other routine actions on the agenda—approval of Sept. 24 minutes and several mayoral appointments and reappointments—were also approved without objection. The council adjourned at the close of the meeting.
