Public Hearing Set on Pittsfield’s 2022 Annual Action Plan

The Department of Community Development in Pittsfield is sponsoring a public hearing and input session at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10th, as part of the preparation of its 2022 Annual Action Plan. According to a press release from the city, the purpose of the public hearing is to obtain public comments and suggestions on how the city’s federal Community Development Block Grant funds should be used to improve quality of life in the community. Information gathered from these sessions will contribute to the preparation of the city’s Annual Action Plan.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that the City of Pittsfield prepares an Annual Action Plan each year. Funded projects included in the plan are required to benefit low- and moderate-income residents, eliminate slums and blight, or address an urgent need.

The public hearing will be held remotely pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12th, 2020 order which suspended Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law and state and federal orders and guidance imposing strict limits on the number of people that may gather in one place.

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The public hearing will be conducted exclusively via Zoom. A registration link can be obtained at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bK44A3f9QiOsNMnFTZv9IQ

Participants can also register for the session by contacting Justine Dodds either via email at jdodds@cityofpittsfield.org by phone at 413-499-9358.

For those who would like to participate by telephone, you should call 312-626-6799, enter the meeting ID 998 3603 8739, press # and enter passcode 742363. Press # again.

The Annual Action Plan will be available in draft form in mid-April for the public to review and comment. It will also undergo a formal adoption process, including a public hearing that will be advertised. The draft plan will also be available on the city’s website during a 30-day public comment and review period in April. After the public comment period, the draft Annual Action Plan will be completed by the middle of May and the final plan will be submitted to HUD shortly thereafter.

Residents who are unable to attend the public input sessions are welcome to drop off comments during the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; submit them by mail to the Department of Community Development, City Hall, 70 Allen St., Room 205, Pittsfield, MA; submit them via the drop box in the rear of City Hall; by phone at 413-499-9358 or TTY at 413-499-9340; and by e-mail to jdodds@cityofpittsfield.org.

Persons with special needs should contact the Department of Community Development and every effort will be made to accommodate their requests.