Copyright berkshireeagle
PITTSFIELD — In the city's westernmost ward, residents have long voiced concerns about aging infrastructure, vacant buildings and a lack of economic investment. Those issues — and differing visions for how to solve them — are shaping the race between incumbent Dina Lampiasi and challenger Walter Powell ahead of next week’s election. Powell, a first-time candidate and former law enforcement officer who successfully sued the Pittsfield Police Department for racial discrimination, says he’s running because many residents feel their neighborhood has been “overlooked” by city government. He argues that Lampiasi, who is seeking her fourth term, is “not truly connected to every resident in our ward.” “Ward 6 is overlooked on essential investments, our roads, life and safety,” Powell said. “I push for transparent planning, accountable budgets and projects that improve daily life progress that improve daily life for seniors, people with special needs and all neighbors.” Powell said he is not a career politician and plans to serve only one term if elected on Nov. 4, aiming to pave the way for a new, younger leader. “It’s time to raise up future leaders who care about all blocks and all residents,” he said. “It’s time to retire the old guard that’s holding us back as a city and reeking of complacency.” Meanwhile, Lampiasi said her focus has always been on building strong relationships with residents and making sure they feel heard and informed throughout city processes. “My biggest priorities are really continuing the important work of what's expected of a work counselor,” she said. “It's really forming those one-on-one relationships with residents, getting back to them, helping them to understand the process and hopefully achieving the outcome they're asking for, even on the simple stuff, like the tree line.” Both candidates agree that blight and its effect on neighborhood morale remains one of Ward 6’s biggest challenges. Powell said he wants to create a detailed record of vacant and deteriorating properties across the ward to raise awareness of the issue and push for more targeted city action. Lampiasi, who previously served as chief of operations at the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, said addressing blight is a constant effort that requires coordination with the City Solicitor’s Office and outreach to residents. “It’s like one neighborhood slowly falling apart,” she said. “When I go out for spring look … I send that first [maintenance request], then I set a reminder in my phone for several weeks later or my calendar … And then build that into my neighborhood drive-throughs or check-ins.” Lampiasi said she keeps residents informed about the legal and bureaucratic process of dealing with blighted properties, whether it’s from sale, rehabilitation or demolition. It helps them “feel empowered because they don’t feel ignored but they feel like they understand what the holdup is," she said. Both candidates also say Ward 6 needs more economic opportunity. Lampiasi wants to focus on restoring neighborhood storefronts and reducing food deserts by encouraging small grocery and convenience shops to reopen in residential areas. “We drive by these, what used to be, storefronts in these neighborhoods, and they're boarded up or they're closed down,” she said. “We all just want to be able to walk to the corner to get something, especially if we're living in a four-story apartment; it just seems like it makes sense.” Lampiasi has been a frequent voice of opposition to the city’s proposed camping ordinance, which would ban camping on public property. She said the measure made her feel “uneasy” because it didn’t include humane alternatives. “It's important to me that I live and help to govern a city that treats people humanely,” she said. “At the same time, I come from a small business family … if we really meant that we support businesses, we would respond to [complaints with] sanitation.” She’s calling for city-funded morning cleanup crews along North Street during warmer months to support business owners and residents. “The pure presence of even lightweight power washers when necessary, coming down the street and cleaning up in the morning in the summer, that's naturally going to encourage people just to leave,” Lampiasi said. “I think it's humane, and it's cleaning up the area.” Lampiasi and Councilor Patrick Kavey have also petitioned the mayor to create an emergency encampment plan if the camping ban is enacted, which she said would help the city better understand how many people are experiencing homelessness. She also supports public sanitation facilities for those experiencing homelessness to use the bathroom and take a shower. Powell also opposes the camping ban but said any solution must include direct engagement with businesses, residents and community organizations to address both public health and safety concerns. Infrastructure, safety and housing are top of mind for Ward 6 voters, both candidates said. Powell said his first priority would be working with the Department of Public Works to repair sidewalks and roadways. On public safety, Powell said he supports a data-driven approach to traffic enforcement. “You first start with some studies,” he said, adding that he would take a leading role in coordinating with city departments to find solutions tailored to the ward’s needs. Lampiasi said she supports expanding the police department’s co-responder model, which pairs officers with mental health professionals, while maintaining a visible police presence downtown. Both agree that Pittsfield’s lack of affordable housing is an urgent issue and say they would support projects aimed at expanding the housing market while maintaining neighborhood character.
