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STRANGE DOINGS AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB … NEW DIRECTOR ELICITS GRUMBLINGS, WHILE BOARD CONTINUES ITS SECRECY AND NON-TRANSPARENCY

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, SEPT. 19-21, 2014) — What in the name of Fred Fahey and Jim Mooney is going on at the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club?

THE PLANET‘s spies, including several sources closely involved at the old brick building on Melville Street  and “a heartbeat removed” you might say, have been reporting unrest at the top and concern percolating from the bottom over the reign of “new” executive director Terence Hughes.

During our investigation, we went to the Club’s official website. Hughes was hired in April. He’s another out-of-town/state resident (Connecticut) in a position that requires intimate knowledge of the local community.

First and incidentally, we should note how much the Club website suffers from lack of attention. It’s a small thing, you say? Perhaps, but many “big things” are nothing more than the accumulation of details. For want of a nail, Joshua could have lost the Battle of Jericho. This is the Internet. By its nature, the Internet allows continual updates to reflect the latest from life’s literal yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. Yet when you land on the Club site, the home page advertises registration for Camp Russell, which begins on April 7, 2014. That’s only more than five months outdated. It hardly inspires confidence. Second, when you click on the submenu of “Executive Leadership and Staff,” you will find 18 names, topped by Hughes. Seventeen of the names have hot links. For example, click on David Harte, director of operations, and you get a photo, a brief bio, and blurb. The one name without a hot link is Hughes. You can click on his name from now until the blush of the evening sky, and nothing will happen. Make of that what you will. THE PLANET finds it odd and a tad troubling.

Still Reeling from the Bell Tragedy

Of course, the Club is still reeling from the tragic and sudden death of its previous executive director, Peter Bell. The board of directors for some hidden reason drummed the well-liked, well-respected Bell out of a job and kept the dismissal and the reasons for it secret, subjecting a fine man to nasty rumors and unsupported assumptions. In the firing — uh, check that, ” amicable resignation” of Peter Bell — the Club leadership “pulled a Bianchi.” It handled what should have been a public matter under cloak of darkness — the people, concerned Club supporters, members, and alums be damned.

Did Bell’s Ouster ‘Cause’ His Death?

The board is a collection of Players, Suits, and Community Pillars. You know the type. Some take their responsibilities in earnest, and they have earned the community’s respect. Others, however, seem to be on the board for the kicks they get from seeing their “name on the letterhead.” They live in Podunk yet think of themselves as arbitrators of world peace. They suffer from what THE PLANET calls “The Barney Fife Syndrome.” It explains itself. For them, we have contempt.

It is not THE PLANET’s intention to separate the good sheep from the bad among the board’s “bah-bahs.” We shall only identify the members. The board consists of: David Dery, Jim Ditello, Cynthia Spinola, David Crane, George Haddad, William Parsley III, Marilyn Sperling, John Kittredge, John Donna, Steve Ray, Gary Scarafoni, Evan Dobelle, Tom Hamel, Deborah Renzi, Ron DeAngelis, David Tierney III, Clement Ferris, and William Martin.

The Club’s directors basically broke Bell’s sword in two and drummed him out of the fort. It is not a stretch to say that without the board’s actions, Peter Bell probably would be alive today, still at the Club, and the Club would be in much better shape. We wonder if that troubles anyone’s conscience. No one is complicit in murder, obviously, but isn’t the end result the same?

With that, during our probe, we heard from a self-identified “long-time Club member and alumnus, who owes an awful lot to the Club, not unlike a lot of people from Pittsfield.” Rather than restate these words, THE PLANET presents them in their own voice:

——– 000 ——–

I believe wholeheartedly in [the Club’s] place in the Pittsfield communitty and how it can impact a person’s life. I feel strongly that there are now people are in place that do not take into account the power that the Club has, nor do they care. That is what concerns me.

The Club obviously has problems and it starts with the board, the people they have on it and the new executive director they hired. [Some of] These people are are not “Club” people nor are they necessarily Pittsfield people.  These people are on the board to throw their weight around, posture, and do not necessarily care what’s in the best interest of the Club.
 
They dismissed Peter Bell based upon personal relationships and attacks. Although Peter did have his faults and I didn’t agree with some of what he did while the Executive Director, his focus was on bettering the Club and its membership first and foremost. He cared about the institution, its history its mission. I do not know everything that went on between Peter and the board, so it’s hard for me to comment on that too much, but I know the board was extremely polarized during it and did not paint itself or the Club in the best of lights.
 
Regardless, jumping forward. After a long selection process which was extremely hush-hush all along, the new executive director was selected in April. Since he came in, he has had numerous complaints brought to the attention of the board of directors from Club employees, member of the community, long-time Club supporters and community organizations. The board of directors had an emergency board meeting at the end of July to address the issues that were brought to their attention.  At the meeting, 1/3 wanted to fire him on the spot, 1/3 were ambivalent and 1/3 were protecting him (this contingent consisted of the non-Pittsfiled natives on the board, led by Tom Hamel).
 
Some of the issues:
 
Two employees brought sexual harassment complaints to the board (meetings with the employees’ attorneys, John Donna and Cynthia Spinola, have taken place). They are currently trying to persuade the employees to not file suit.
 
There were two cases filed with DSS regarding children being dropped off their buses from Camp Russell at stops that were changed by the executive director without notifying anyone.
 
He fired long-time Club employees (talking 30 and 40 years of service) by having the janitor do it. These employees were respected in the community and came from large Pittsfield families that have done a lot of volunteer work for the Club. He also has told many members of the Camp committee that their services were no longer wanted and that they have no relationship with the Club anymore . In doing so, he alienated a number of long-standing Club supporters and organizations, who since have pulled their financial and man-power support from the Club.
 
He suspended the two Club employees in charge of Camp Russell for “discipline issues” the first week of Camp, leaving the Camp short staffed. He also went throughout the community and made it know he had suspended these people. This is a direct violation of all HR and privacy laws.
 
He had a run-in with a prominent member of the community about their access to Camp and told her she was no longer allowed to jog through Camp and that there was a “new sheriff in town” with new rules. Needless to say, she went right to members of the board.
 
There have been questions raised about his willingness to move to Pittsfield full-time. I have heard his wife has made it known she is not moving from Connecticut.
 
There may have been “other reasons” as to why he left either of his two other Club positions [in other communities, prior to coming to Pittsfield].
 
Since the emergency meeting:
 
— He turned Camp Russell into two different Camps. One for those that can pay and one for those that cannot. Kids who pay for Camp get preferential treatment and access to advanced programming. Those who are on camperships or receive other assistance do not have access to these programs.
 
— He has also made it known that he wants to discontinue the Recreational Therapy Program at Camp Russell. This program has been in place for over 30 years and is a main driver of grant money to the Club, but more importantly it is a huge asset to the Camp, the special needs kids it, serves and the general Camp population. This program allows for inclusion among special needs and “normal” kids.
 
As you an see, in a short time the new executive director has not painted himself or the Club in the best of light. As someone who holds the Club dear, it’s embarrassing that we have someone representing the Club who acts this way and that we have a board of directors that allows this to happen. A certain faction of the board thinks this is ok and empowers and protects the new Executive Director. 
 
My guess is Bill Cameron has been brought in to offer a buffer and to “mentor” the new person, although according to the Club upon his hire he was brought in because of his “leadership experience.”  Kind of strange that they now need to hire someone to oversee this and spend more of the Club’s money because they made a bad hire and won’t admit it or rectify it.
——– ooo ——–
Another Club source, a director, commented to THE PLANET on Hughes’ reign: This person calls it: “an unfortunate situation all around. There are some good people on the board that care about the Club, but not nearly enough, and the ones who are on the board either don’t have the power or are unwilling to speak up. I’ve been told other things about the new executive director’s character, but nothing concrete as to why he was exploring new employment. Word coming from some board members is that new director is doing some strange things such as closing the Club down over Christmas, probably the busiest time of the year; suspending the assistant director for a week; and letting the staff director of Camp Russell go while he hired his own son to work at the camp. Now with the tragic accidental death of Peter Bell things couldn’t be worse. Perhaps the board made a mistake hiring someone who ran three other Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs in the past four years. It just seems strange.”

——– 000 ——–

‘A Fresh Perspective’

The Club’s board of directors announced the hiring of Hughes on April 11. Director Sperling, president and CEO of Greylock Federal Credit Union, said at the time that Hughes “is a fresh perspective.”

We wonder if, in light of these events, Sperling would hold to these words. Perhaps the alternate meaning of “fresh” might be applied: “impudent … presumptuous … rude.” Sperling said at the time that the community had to be involved in the Club’s future. Yes, and she probably is against child abuse and for good schools as well. This appears to be an example of a disengaged Community Pillar saying the right things but not meaning them. THE PLANET says this based on the directors’ secrecy and mysteriousness in placing Bell on paid leave in October before canning him. Board president Donna called the Bell departure an “amicable” resignation. The community has been shut out from the both the firing of Bell, the hiring of Hughes, and the reported problems that followed in Hughes’ ascendancy.

Friends of Bell said he was not happy at all over his treatment by the board and that he was forced out. They say he did not want to leave but was given no choice. They say the board told him to resign or else they would “go public.” “Go public” with what?

Let’s be clear: THE PLANET doesn’t have enough information to be definitive about this, but after communication with friends of Peter Bell; Club directors, including John Donna; alumnae; and members of the alumnae board, it appears that Bell was victim to nothing more or less than a coup based on personal reasons. For whatever reason, it appears that some powerful members of the board wanted him out. Sources say “a number of internal pretexts” were created, none of which were made public apparently because they could not have “stuck” or “held water.”

Board members, across the board (pun intended), were reluctant to say a word about this.

Fact is, we still don’t know why the board of the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club canned Peter Bell.

Today, Bell is tragically dead.

Meanwhile, the Club he served for more than 30 years has started to trace the risings of a corpse.

——– 000 ——–

In fairness to the board of directors, we present a letter we received in response to our questions about all this. It came from John Donna, who writes:

Dear Mr. Valenti: 

Your communication of September 14, 2014, to four employees of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires has been forwarded to me. You have asked about two issues: the untimely passing of Peter Bell, the Club’s former executive director; and operation of the Club under Terence Hughes, the current executive director. 

Mr. Bell’s death was a shock to all who knew him and the cause of great sadness to his friends and former colleagues at the Club. Peter Bell offered long and faithful service to the Club. We mourn his passing and extend our condolences to his family. 

Mr. Hughes joined the Club about four months ago. Prior to his start here he worked for over 10 years as executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs in Connecticut and New York. Mr. Hughes was hired by the Board of Directors after a comprehensive search process

Since Mr. Hughes became executive director he has used his time to observe Club operations and activities occurring over the summer. He has also sought to learn the roles and responsibilities of all Club personnel. 

During the summer Mr. Hughes initiated some changes based on what he was observing. Not all of these changes have been well received by every Club employee. As Mr. Hughes becomes more familiar with the Club’s fall, winter, and spring activities, and after he studies the overall operations of the Club in depth, he may, after further discussion with staff and contact with Club members and families, seek to initiate more changes at the Club. To the extent that these changes improve Club operations and program quality Mr. Hughes would be acting in a manner consistent with the Board’s interest in improving service, program offerings, and operational efficiency. 

In every employment setting there is an adjustment that is made by the staff when learning to work with a new administrator.  

The Board of Directors has given its support to Mr. Hughes to ensure that he has the support and clear direction he will need to do his job well. At the same time the Board has responded, and will continue to respond, to concerns brought forward by Club employees or others regarding programming, staffing or employment issues, community outreach, and any other matter related to the Club that comes to the Board’s attention. 

Thank you for your inquiry. 

Very truly yours,

John C. Donna, Esq.

President Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires

——– 000 ——–

We shall have no comment on the letter, preferring to let it speak for itself. THE PLANET thanks Donna and the board for responding. That’s what’s called “professional.” A certain occupant of a certain corner office could take a lesson from this.

——————————————————————————————-

“Ye friends to truth, ye statesmen who survey / The rich man’s joys increase, the poor’s decay, / ‘Tis yours to judge how wide the limits stand / between a splendid and an happy land.” Oliver Goldsmith, “The Deserted Village,” lines 265-268 inclusive, (1774).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

 

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Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
9 years ago

Terry Hughes left me, AND MY TWO CHILDREN THAT ATTENDED CAMP RUSSELL THE ENTIRE SUMMER, with nothing less than a very professional impression. Mr. Donna’s letter is perfect in its tone. The Planet cannot have it both ways with wanting seasoned professionals in key positions that live/have roots in Pittsfield. This region simply does not have enough homegrown talent to accomplish these tasks appropriately. Also, did i miss in this article where Mr. Hughes was asked for comment and what his response might have been?

The concept that those students on camperships were excluded from activities may be partially correct in that ANY campers that did not pay fees for additional outings were excluded from participating in enhanced programming, like off-camp trips.

This commentary raises quite a bit of conjecture without offering equal time to all the different points it raises. These arguments are too diverse to reason through in one piece. That is something TES would do, then walk away from the suppositions.

This community cannot have it both ways, and in the end will be very disjointed as the population loss continues. Mr. Bell worked very hard, I am sure, to develop the Club in a fantastic way. Mr. Hughes is equally dedicated to the children that use the facilities and works diligently to advance the Club under the Board’s oversight..

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  danvalenti
9 years ago

Thanks for mentioning this, it did not appear evident in the article.

Tyler
Tyler
Reply to  Shakes His Head
9 years ago

historically, children on camperships receive the same privileges as those who pay (including off-camp trips). The Club is about inclusion for all children of Berkshire County, not just the ones with money. If that was the case 90% of the kids who have used the Boys & Girls Club throughout its history would not have been able to attend or take part in any programming. It is not a country club which it seems some are trying to turn it into.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Everything that goes on in Pittsfield is political. I am happy I moved away from Pittsfield, like thousands of other people did. Something as good and decent as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Pittsfield is a political football. Peter Bell was a good man. He cared about the Club and Pittsfield. RIP.

DowagerHat
DowagerHat
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Right on Johnny Boy. Pittsfield politics make Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed look saintly!

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  DowagerHat
9 years ago

The question regarding the toxic nature of Pittsfield politics is: WHY?

DowagerHat
DowagerHat
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Not WHEN?

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  DowagerHat
9 years ago

WHEN was formed in 2003 to elect Jimmy Ruberto Mayor of Pittsfield and provide him with women city councilors who would rubber-stamp his (failed) agenda. After Jimmy Ruberto stepped down as Mayor of Pittsfield in 2011, WHEN disbanded. In the 8 years of Jimmy Ruberto and WHEN, Pittsfield’s local economy tanked with thousands of people moving away from Pittsfield and thousands of jobs lost. Dan Bianchi is continuing Pittsfield politics’ problems by raising taxes so that the only people left in Pittsfield are either really wealthy or really poor.

GMHeller
GMHeller
9 years ago

Evan Dobelle?
Pittsfield’s former mayor?
Dobelle is the sleazeball Democrat mover-and-shaker (he was Democrat Prez Jimmy Carter’s chief-of-protocol) who has stolen thousands of dollars from Westfield State University coffers.
Check out the Mass. Inspector General’s 77-page report.
(Why isn’t Dobelle under indictment?)

Here’s the IG’s summary:
http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2014/review-of-spending-practices-by-former-westfield-state-university-president-evan-dobelle-executive-summary.html

And here’s the actual report: (77 pgs.):
http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2014/review-of-spending-practices-by-former-westfield-state-university-president-evan-dobelle.pdf

Pat
Pat
9 years ago

It’s not that there is not enough “homegrown” talent in the area. It’s that locals won’t hire the homegrown talent which is why people keep leaving the area including the younger generation. The problem for local employers is that there isn’t enough homegrown talent from the respected families in the area which are the only ones they will hire for their high paying positions. Afterall there are only so many respected families in the area.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Pat
9 years ago

In the Spring of 2002, when I was 26 years old, I was terminated from my job as a bank teller because I complained about my branch manager discriminating against me by using the racist term “wop” against me. For over one year of my adult life, I looked for a job in Pittsfield. No one in Pittsfield would hire me for over one year of my adult life. I found a job in the Summer of 2003, working at a Massachusetts State Park. I heard my branch manager bad-mouthed me to prospective employers. I felt black-listed by the Good Old Boy network because I spoke out about state and local politics, and Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. was my political enemy. By the Spring of 2004, I moved to Souther New Hampshire, where I have lived for the past decade. Since I moved away from Pittsfield, I was slandered by the Nuciforo network, who spread the false rumor that I “stalked a Jewish woman from Otis.” Denis Guyer denies taking part in this. I worked part-time at a store in NH. I ended up on welfare. Eventually, I won my Veterans case and I am a 100 percent disabled Veteran who served our nation Honorably. I am o.k. now, but it was a rough ride. I feel that if I came from anywhere except Pittsfield, I would have done much better in my adult life. Pittsfield is a conspiratorial and mean-spirited community that I hope to never return to for the rest of my life. The same group of people pull the same crap in Pittsfield over the years. Unless you are related to one of their low-gene pool, interrelated, multigenerational families, or unless you kiss their corrupt behinds, you end up like I did. I am happy I live in Southern New Hampshire now.

Ed McClelland
Ed McClelland
Reply to  Pat
9 years ago

Pat; Very astute observation. I am Pittsfield “homegrown” and PHS educated. I am from a very loyal GE generation family. I also left the area and became a senior VP in a large publically traded organization, returning for retirement and family.
Pittsfield’s power elite seems to shun an employment candidate with private sector experience. They apparently have a preference for the grant and tax funded workplace, often tempered with not for profit fascades. Factual introspection regarding the city’s hiring practices will generally reveal a direct or subtle connection to nepotism,cronyism,or politics.
With such disregard for private sector experience, how is a private business network going to develop and privately held capital investments made ? I have heard it said many times that Pittsfield’s primary product is municipal pensions.
There are many talented “homegrown” prospects in the Berkshires. Overtly recruit them equally and if one doesn’t quite meet any stated qualification perfectly; Train them. Keep them in the Berkshires.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Ed McClelland
9 years ago

True. So many have had to leave the area to find a career for all of the reasons you stated. All we hear is that there is a lack of talent in the area and employers can’t find workers with the right job skills. I keep hearing that there are so many jobs that go unfilled because locals do not have the right qualifications. Many times what you find is that it’s not the right qualifications they are looking for, but the right connections. It also seems like a lazy attitude on the part of the employer who doesn’t want to do any training. So rather than hiring a local person many employers bring in outsiders when they would have made a better decision in hiring local people.

Dan
Dan
9 years ago

Is this guy related to Monterosso?

PopKornSutton
PopKornSutton
9 years ago

In the famous words on a Billboard at upper North Street many years ago, PITTSFIELD Sucks.

silence dogood
silence dogood
9 years ago

I always found the Boy’s club kind of weird, but that was back when some of the boys were given a better Red than dead option.

PopKornSutton
PopKornSutton
9 years ago

Yeah, Red didn’t care for the muffins.

andrea
andrea
Reply to  danvalenti
9 years ago

Rip bernie… Railroaded due to his sexual preferences in an era when there was no such thing as tolerance. Easy target for the good ole boys to bully. Glad he lived long enough to see the world outside a prison wall.. RIP

amandaWell
amandaWell
9 years ago

had you worked here for twenty five years you would have been as much a Pittsfielder as anyone, Jonathan.

amanda
amanda
9 years ago

Pittsfield employment..schools courts, fire, police city hall… G e ,two weeks every year at the beach or sox games, children active at boys and girls club, little league, whacko uh park.

Lawrence of Berkshire County
Lawrence of Berkshire County
9 years ago

I am relatively new the The Berkshires. Early in my stay here, I was invited to a gathering that featured area executives,business owners, and other leaders. Included was an odd encounter with a Boys’ and Girls’ Club board member. I will not say more than that, but the disturbing run-in has come into more focus with Mr. Valenti’s coverage here. I later urged other members of the board to address what seems to me, from my outside perspective, to be a problematic situation.

In other communities where I’ve lived, the Boys’ and Girls’ has been a vital community organization. It doesn’t seem to be the case here. I do not want to be premature, but I think I have seen enough to express concern. Thank you for allowing this forum.

Linda
Linda
Reply to  Lawrence of Berkshire County
9 years ago

I thank Lawrence for his post. He is obviously a high level executive and someone of sohpistication who has been around. When people of this caliber speak it is not a casual thing. My sons’ experiences at the club were not good ones. That’s all I will say. Even to this day, I boil thinking about it.

PopKornSutton
PopKornSutton
9 years ago

There was a lot of bullying at the Boys Club over the years, this one Camp Counselor used physical force for no reason at a camp Russell, his initials were D M. I think of the incident and would have smashed his face in if I weren’t a kid back then.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
9 years ago

Oh the memories ! Jimmy Mooney telling the Green Hand story around the fire. Firemen Hall where I bunked. Just a load of fun for 2 weeks as a young kid.

knox road
knox road
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
9 years ago

Oh yes, Firemans Hall, I spent two weeks of my childhood there. I still have nightmares about the green hand. Remember the polar bear club? The got us all down to Richmond pond at the bottom of the hill from Firemans Hall and made us jump in at 5:00 am. If that didn’t wake up every cell in your body.

DSB
DSB
9 years ago

One of the “philosophical differences” was that Steve Ray and other board members wanted to make the Club about elite athletes, and to produce competitive basketball teams (think Steinman). Peter always believed that the Club was for all kids, especially those who were there from the time they opened to the time they closed. They were the ones who really needed it.

My favorite story about Peter is how during “free time” in the gym, he would walk around and find some kid who was off to the side not playing with others. He would get a basketball and play with the child himself. That was his vision of the Club, every child plays.

His personality may have been off-putting to some adults, but the kids loved him. Whenever he could, he would stand in his office door in the morning and greet the little ones on their way to day care. They loved Mr. Bell and still wonder why he’s not there.

As for not speaking publicly about what happened, Peter had signed a non-disclosure agreement. He did it to protect the Club. The morning after being unceremoniously walked out the door, while trying to explain to his own mother what had happened, he kept saying, “I don’t want this to hurt the Club”. And despite others urging him to sue, and going as far as hiring a lawyer, he ultimately decided to take the hit to his own reputation in hopes of protecting the children and his beloved Club.

I wonder if Steve Ray and Marilyn Sperling ever had the same thought about protecting the Club?

(I also wonder if the Board of Directors for Greylock CU know that Marilyn had her tellers harass Peter every time he came in to cash his check from the Club, by asking him if he still worked there. Is that the way they think their members should be treated?)

Ed
Ed
Reply to  DSB
9 years ago

Wasn’t Angelo a d Cliffy on GFU’s board ?

eddiep
eddiep
Reply to  DSB
9 years ago

And so a skeleton has emerged from Sperlings closet. How many more? It seems that Greylock isn’t the place to be associated with lately what with the Angelo thing and Cliffie and now Marilyn pulling funny stuff. Looks like damage control. Stuff the bb wouldn’t dare get into.

Linda
Linda
Reply to  eddiep
9 years ago

I pulled ,y money out of Greylock after the incident involving Mr Stracuzzi and Mr Nilan. I certainly wouldn’t want it there now under present management either.

Brett Steinman
Brett Steinman
Reply to  DSB
9 years ago

Think Steinman? Why is my family dragged into this?

eddiep
eddiep
9 years ago

Maybe if the “that’s all I will say” copouts actually came out and said it, we would have a good idea just what is going on with the club and the board. Hiding behind a statement like that serves no purpose other to inflate their egos. Well, I know something you don’t and am sitting on it. It begs the question do you really know anythingu these incidents really happen and to what deg,ree

amanda
amanda
9 years ago

High level executive? Manager at Burger World?

PopKornSutton
PopKornSutton
9 years ago

The more people talk about the Boys Club situation the harder it is to understand. ,

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

Another parking consultant… you can’t make this shit up!

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Dave
9 years ago

“Pittsfield council asked to OK $500K to overhaul parking”
By Jim Therrien, Berkshire Eagle Staff, 9/21/2014

PITTSFIELD — The City Council will be asked this week to approve $500,000 to begin funding a comprehensive overhaul of Pittsfield’s downtown parking system.

Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi seeks borrowing authorization to pay for the development of bidding specifications, and to pay for a “smart meter” system for North Street, parking garages and other downtown locations; to purchase informational and directional signage to reduce confusion about parking regulations and clarify where parking is available; and for new lighting for parking lots and other improvements.

Community Development Director Douglas Clark said a consultant would be hired to develop specifications for the new meters, signage, new lighting and other features included in the wide-ranging recommendations, which resulted from a $75,000 study that began in fall 2013.

Working since then with a study committee of local officials and representatives of downtown businesses and other stakeholders, parking consultants Nelson Nygaard produced the report upon which the borrowing request is based.

Among key recommendations are the creation of “demand-based pricing” for premium parking spaces, primarily along North Street, while eliminating time limits. Essentially, that means charging for spaces in the most sought-after areas of the downtown during daytime business hours, while allowing free or lower-cost spaces elsewhere to encourage their use by employees of businesses or agencies to free up more premium spaces.

That format has been used successfully by a number of cities to increase the availability of premium spaces for residents or visitors heading for shops, restaurants or entertainment venues, the consultants said.

A map included in the report recommends a 50-cent-per-hour charge to park on North Street from Housatonic Street to White Terrace, and a 25-cent-per-hour charge for spaces on North Street from White Terrace to Stoddard Avenue, and along Wahconah Street between North to Seymour streets, as well as around City Hall on Fenn Street, Bank Row and nearby streets.

The map shows three hours of free parking allowed on Wendell and Bartlett avenues, and on side streets off North Street.

The full Nelson Nygaard report and related maps can be viewed under City Council agendas, on the city’s website at http://www.cityofpittsfield.org.

Other than the new system, which would include some form of kiosk metering in which a motorist pays with cash or a credit card and selects the amount of time required, new signage would direct motorists, especially visitors to Pittsfield, to lot parking and better explain whether spaces are free or metered and the cost details.

Other key recommendations include to streamline the divided management structure overseeing parking spaces, garages and fee and fine collections, as well as to consider zoning or other changes to enhance the overall parking system.

Clark said city officials have been discussing options for streamlining management operations, part of which are handled through city government offices and part of which the police department handles.

The consultants also recommended considering a separate authority to oversee parking issues and facilities, including maintenance issues and future enhancements, and to ensure the system is financially self-supporting.

The consultants likewise recommend considering the creation of new parking spaces in areas such as on West Street near Park Square and elsewhere in the downtown, and improving several alleyways between buildings to facilitate pedestrian traffic from lots or side streets, where free or low-cost parking is available, and North Street.

Many of the recommendations, including the exact parking fees charged and management structure for the system, will require further approvals by city boards and the administration, Clark said. But he added that the report’s recommendations has received wide support — after some initial skepticism — from many downtown merchants, and the overall proposal was recommended by the city Traffic Commission.

The study process included an online survey of residents and others, meetings to discuss the evolving draft report and other outreach efforts by the consultant and city officials.

The $500,000 for parking-related improvements is requested to the council among $4.9 million in proposed capital projects for the city, including $3 million for street improvements, $1.2 million for replacement of an airport hazard beacon and $200,000 for Streetscape Phase 4 design work.

The council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_26576551/pittsfield-city-council-seek-500k-overhaul-parking

donald
donald
9 years ago

I moved out of the area several years ago, but have a friend still involved with the club. This individual seems very concerned about the lack of concern of the board of directors of the club. Are they aware that within a few weeks the front office will be vacant? The executive secretary and program secretary are both leaving their positions, and there does not seem to be much concern on this new directors part. His plan as my contact understands is to take over a lot of her responsibilities, and as far as registrations for programs, etc., the public will be forced to learn how to use a kiosk. Again, is this something the board had approved, it seems to me that the public would prefer a friendly face behind the counter. Does the board realize the importance of this office, and how its role plays a large role in how the rest of the business operates, both financially and program wise? The need to get their act together, their busy season is coming up, they are short two people in the front office, fired the manager of the renovated lighthouse, it sounds like they have two employees on the brink of leaving, what is going on there, and when is this board going to spend a day there and figure it out before there is no boys and girls club of Pittsfield. I am sure those who are left, few as they may be, miss peter bell and the way it used to be.

financially and program wise?

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

NEWS ARTICLE:

“Berkshire Regional Planning Commission not sold on Housatonic River cleanup strategy”
By Phil Demers, Berkshire Eagle Staff, 9/21/2014

PITTSFIELD — The federal Housatonic River cleanup strategy falls short and risks leaving a “legacy of contamination” to future generations, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission fears.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed action to clear PCB pollution from the river is not “comprehensive” enough to “gain long-term resiliency of species and habitat,” BRPC Executive Director Nathaniel Karns wrote in a response to the EPA’s cleanup proposal.

According to BRPC figures, 75 percent of the contamination would be left behind in the stretch of the river of most concern — 10.5 miles from the confluence of the river’s east and west branches in Pittsfield to Woods Pond in Lenox, where “90 percent of the mass of PCBs that remain in the river system” exist.

General Electric, which used PCBs at its plant in Pittsfield before they were banned in the 1970s, is responsible for their cleanup from areas in Pittsfield and the Housatonic River. PCBs are a suspected carcinogen.

EPA plans to control much of the remaining contaminated material through bio-engineering, but BRPC is “very skeptical about the long-term efficacy of engineered approaches to containing the very significant remaining contamination.”

“We are not convinced that leaving high PCB concentrations behind in core areas is scientifically justifiable,” Karns wrote.

The BRPC official advocates a more ambitious reduction in PCBs from the river and better protection for the habitat and animals living there.

“Where feasible,” he wrote, “we urge the EPA to require that [General Electric] investigate methods to collect individual plants and animals from local populations of particularly vulnerable species, hold them during cleanup activities, and then re-establish them once construction has ended.”

The BRPC’s response points to near-total rebounds in some species along the 2-mile stretch in Pittsfield, cleaned three years ago, particularly in macroinvertebrate and aquatic worm populations — crucial critters for the health of the ecosystem.

On the other hand, in the 10.5-mile stretch in question — referred to as the “Rest of the River” — these species remain stifled, with consequences for the entire food chain.

“The top of the food chain is clearly showing evidence of stress — mink, otter, birds of prey are all considerably less than what you should be seeing in an environment like this,” Karns said at a recent BRPC meeting.

A 70-plus page EPA proposal details a 13-year cleanup plan that would entail the removal of nearly 1 million cubic yards of material at a cost up to $613 million to GE.

The EPA considers the plan a “balanced approach,” falling between a complete removal process and taking no action to remove the pollution, allowing the environment to recover slowly over many years.

A reduction by 89 percent of downstream transport of PCBs — a particularly dangerous problem — would be achieved.

“Each time there’s a storm event, PCBs are being redistributed [in flood plains and surrounding wetlands],” BRPC Senior Planner Lauren Gaherty said.

The excavated contaminated material would be deposited in landfills outside of Berkshire County.

Three goals guided the EPA proposal: Reductions in risks to human health and the environment and prevention of downstream transport.

“EPA has taken all the different studies that have been done and come up with what they’re calling a ‘balanced’ approach,” Gaherty said.

Cleanup tactics to be used remain a mystery, though heavy machinery, transport of material by rail or automobile, drying areas and de-watering facilities and pipelines are expected for use.

Karns said BRPC will advocate that the communities have “a very strong presence in developing and approving [work plans].”

“That’s the kind of stuff that’s going to drive the local officials nuts, because the neighbors will have very, very legitimate concerns,” Karns said.

One such neighbor, Jeffrey Cook, who lives nearby the river in Ward 4, voiced some of these concerns at a BRPC meeting last week.

According to Cook, he and many fellow abutters fear the impact of an extensive cleanup. He claimed the EPA creates potentially dubious cleanup standards based on chemical calculations that go unchallenged.

“The result is a cleanup level in the river which is catastrophic to the river [and its wildlife],” Cook said. “I would hope that somebody would look at these standards.”

Gaherty said EPA reduced the cleanup scope in some areas to protect sensitive creatures, but it remains unclear whether a more complete cleanup or continued presence of PCBs would do further harm to these creatures.

On the economic front, BRPC seeks an “absolute guarantee that a responsible party will have the necessary financial assets to control PCB contamination for decades and generations to come,” reads the new documents.

“We do not believe in today’s economic, fiscal and ideological environment that it is prudent to assume that either GE or the federal government will be able, willing, or required to take on a major economic burden several decades into the future,” Karns’ response states. “Given the dynamic nature of the river, the significant concentrations of PCBs which will remain in core habitats, in banks protected through bio-engineering, or remaining in the river under engineered caps, coupled with the already obvious but increasing expected impacts of climate change, it is highly probably that unacceptable concentrations of PCBs will be exposed far into the future and various areas will have to be revisited, possibly multiple times.”

Criticisms aside, BRPC acknowledged that it “largely agrees” with the EPA’s approach, but only wishes it were more comprehensive.

Residents may submit comments on the EPA’s proposal until Oct. 27 by emailing r1Housatonic@epa.gov.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_26576554/berkshire-regional-planning-commission-not-sold-housatonic-river

Craig Swinson
Craig Swinson
9 years ago

Why the HELL does Pittsfield need to spend $500K on another parking study?
Metered parking on the street $.50 up to three hours -electronic meters. Pay parking in decks, first hour free, $0.50 an hour up to 10 hours. Automated gate, press and dispense a card, pay before you get to your car, credit card and cash.
It isn’t a $500K problem, they need two more decks or at least large lots.

eddiep
eddiep
Reply to  Craig Swinson
9 years ago

In my younger days I worked at Unistress. We built the Columbus Ave. Parking deck. The sup port columns were built to support an additional one or two more levels. I know this because I worked from the blueprints and installed the top plates in the columns to bolt the top columns in place. Nobody ever knew it was designed that way. The plates were buried within the first foot of the top of the column. One more of Pittsfields little secrets.

anne white
anne white
9 years ago

I am sorry Peter was forced out and I wont pretend to know why but I will say he left in a stand up way

My kids used to go to the club and the camp.

I am not a big fan of the clubs sports program. we have had coaches in the basketball house league that only care about winning and leave the weaker players on the bench ( this is third and fourth grade)

I have heard from many that the travel team only plays their best players even when they are ahead by thirty points

The guy who runs the special needs camp is a real bully. If you dare to complain he will make sure your kid is not accepted the next year

I think you need to give this guy a chance Dan. Change makes everyone nervous.

.

Tyler
Tyler
9 years ago

What a sad state of affairs. I have not heard one nice thing said by anyone about this new executive director. The once sterling reputation of the Boys Club is being sullied by a collection of idiots, both on the board and in the head office. Aren’t a number of these board members also old board members of the CYC? Look how that ended up. Please do not bring the same fate upon the Club!

jermen
jermen
9 years ago

I live her in Pittsfield. I am very active in my community and other surrounding areas. I have going to the club since 1982. Now as a father and a coach and…First off, for those who left and are successful and doing great in your life, awesome! ! That’s what worked for you. Pittsfield is in trouble. But, not in the context that you’llol are saying. We elect government officials! We push for new laws! But most insanely is, we onWIly complain after its to late. I don’t know this new director at all, but if all is true, he should go!! But it takes public. Out cry to get results, coupled with some facts! Like, did you know that, during the basketball season, they have almost 700 kids in multiple grades, and ages, boys and girls. Did you know that 75% of them are black?! Can you please tell me how many black employees they ha e?? Full or part time? How many Spanish staff do they have full or part time?? I was at the meeting at morning side and the new director was there and he made a loud speech. Well, if you heard the speech, you would have some ideal that, this guy was a little off. As with Adam Hind, they went away from some rooted people from the community and got a person that don’t even know the difference between the west and east sides of Pittsfield! So, to sum it up. If we want to solve some problems, look internally I. The community. At least we have a idea where to start. And to all the people who have moved away!! I only hope you moved away because you thought it was better for you and yours and not because you think you can run from a problem or the grass is grenner. Cause truth is, all your hard work you did else where old have been achieved right here had you not been blind with anger and a need to be justified! Just saying

Hockey
Hockey
9 years ago

The club is not about Hockey just ask to rent ice and even offer to get separate insurance along with a club membership … Also offer to set up an in House Hockey program this also will end up getting shot down been there done that .