News Briefs: Pittsfield mayoral debate; Pignatelli amendment accepted increasing funding for MCLA

Berkshire NAACP to host mayoral debate

Pittsfield — The NAACP Berkshire County Branch will host a debate between the two mayoral candidates Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at Conte Community School. The school is accessible and has free parking.

Former NAACP Berkshire County Branch President Will Singleton will moderate the debate between current Mayor Linda Tyer and City Councilor Melissa Mazzeo. Attendees will be able to submit questions on index cards. Working Cities will hold its monthly meeting at school at 5:30 p.m. just prior to the debate and will provide free childcare for attendees. Pittsfield Community Television will record the debate for later viewing.

Election day in Pittsfield is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

*     *     *

Pignatelli amendment accepted increasing funding for MCLA

Boston — State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, announced Friday that the House of Representatives accepted an amendment to increase funding for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams Wednesday night in the House’s fiscal year 2019 supplemental budget. The amendment, filed by Pignatelli with members of the House Berkshire delegation signed on in support, provides for a $200,000 funding increase to enhance MCLA’s campus security through the purchase and update of necessary public safety equipment.

The money authorized by the House will go toward safety provisions such as a new campus police cruiser, cameras, emergency software and surveillance equipment. The funding will also help the school upgrade access control and lockdown/lockout capabilities by installing new doors designed to interface with access control software.

The supplemental budget will now go to the Senate.