Pittsfield council approves Safe Streets planning grant with council approval amendment

The Pittsfield Town Council voted to accept a federal planning grant under the Bureau of Highway Safety’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program and attached a council-approval condition to any work authorization.

Town Manager Jack explained the grant is primarily for planning and study — bike, pedestrian and traffic safety analyses — and described potential focus areas such as the intersection of Somerset Avenue and Industrial Park Road and the School Street/Somerset Avenue crossing. He said the town could pursue a project up to $150,000 with a typical 80/20 split (approximately $120,000 federal, $30,000 local), and that whatever amount the town uses would determine the 20% local share.

Several councilors raised concerns about approving a grant that could lead to consultant work the council had not yet budgeted for. One councilor summarized the concern: approving the grant could mean spending local match dollars on a plan that “sits on a shelf” if the town does not act on recommendations. Others argued leaving the grant unaccepted risked losing federal funds that may be withdrawn if not placed under contract.

To balance those concerns the council approved Resolution 25123 but added an amendment requiring that any RFPs or consultant contracts be returned to the council for approval in spring 2026 (budget season) before work would begin. The amendment means the town accepts the grant offer, retains access to the funds for up to five years, but will not proceed with consultant procurement without explicit council authorization.

The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript records no roll-call tally.

What happens next: Jack will prepare any RFP language and present it to the council in spring 2026 as part of the budget and project-prioritization discussions before any consultant contract is executed.