Pittsfield council to hold hearings, seek bids

PITTSFIELD – Town councilors will hold five public hearings on Tuesday night, as well as begin the process of seeking bids for Mill Pond park project paving and equipment.

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the council chambers of the municipal building.

Town councilors also will hear a presentation by recycling coordinator Don Chute on the final 2004 recycling statistics. Documentation shows that total recycling revenues were $80,100, while expenditures were $80,856.

“Basically, recycling is now paying for itself,” Town Manager Kathryn Ruth told councilors at their last meeting.

A total of 1,575.25 tons was recycled last year, while 8,504 tons of solid waste, tires, metal and other items was not. If the recyclables had been tossed into the waste stream, it would have cost Pittsfield residents an additional $90,104.20 in tipping fees.

The public hearings scheduled include:

. Approval to borrow up to $800,000 in anticipation of taxes.

. Approval of a liquor license for The Picnic Basket restaurant on Route 100.

. Three amendments to the town’s zoning, site plan review and subdivision ordinances.

New resolutions include:

. Approval of the 2005 paving program.

. Approval of proposal requests for the Mill Pond project for paving, benches, picnic tables and waste receptacles.

. Approval of a lease between the town and the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency regarding an approach path indicator at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.

. Approval of a request to continue the Main Street railroad crossing as a quiet crossing.