PITTSFIELD — Former Ward 7 City Councilor Anthony “Tony” Maffuccio is hoping to return to Pittsfield’s legislative body this fall, telling Morning Drive host Bill Sturgeon on WTBR that he “misses serving the community” and is ready to bring his ten years of council experience back to City Hall.
“Life has kind of been too quiet,” Maffuccio said on the broadcast. “I’m used to people calling and me being able to help somebody… not just in my personal life, but in my professional life, and doing that.”
Maffuccio, a North End native, focused much of the interview on basic services, infrastructure, and constituent responsiveness, emphasizing that his goal is to “make sure that Ward 7 gets their fair share” of city resources.
He said one of the biggest challenges facing Pittsfield is maintaining city services while controlling costs. “Costs increase every year. Budgets go up. Trying to keep the tax rate low — like they did this past time — that’s something we have to continue working on.”
When asked about homelessness and housing, Maffuccio acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
“You don’t want homeless people wandering your downtown during the daytime,” he said. “We need to make sure that our downtown stays appealing and thriving to people who live here and our tourists that come in here every year.”
Still, he credited city leaders with moving in the right direction, pointing to the White Terrace redevelopment and resources at Zion Lutheran Church as signs of progress.
On services for the aging population in Pittsfield and Berkshire County, Maffuccio agreed that the city needs to do more. “That’s something we really have to take a look at because we’re making it less convenient for [seniors], and it just shouldn’t be that way,” he said.
He also said accessibility issues, such as limited handicapped parking downtown, need to be revisited. “Especially for our seniors… we’ve worked all our lives, paid taxes. It seems sometimes like we’re being pushed aside.”
On civil service reform, Maffuccio expressed ambivalence, acknowledging the trade-off between hiring flexibility and longstanding protections. “I’m torn between the cost and the benefits that would be lost,” he said. “But civil service reduces the pool you can pull from.”
As for public safety budgets, he defended overtime costs for police and fire departments. “These individuals spend a lot of time protecting us… we have to be sympathetic to their needs,” he said.
Looking ahead, Maffuccio hopes to support revitalization of Pontoosuc Lake and Wahconah Park, and generally restore energy and ideas to the council.
“Maybe it’s time to start thinking outside the box again,” he said, pointing to past revitalization efforts under Mayor Jim Ruberto. “We did it back in 2004. We brought arts and entertainment to the community. Maybe there’s something new we can do now.”
He added that he’s healthy and ready to return. “I want to accomplish what the people want me to do. I want to be there for my community again.”
Asked why voters should support him, Maffuccio said: “I have ten years of experience behind me… I’ve missed serving the constituents of Ward 7. If I’m reelected, I’ll give my utmost to the job — and to you.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on the October 13, 2025 broadcast of WTBR’s “Morning Drive” and was written in part using ChatGPT. To view the entire program, visit https://pittsfieldtv.org/program/?id=54114. WTBR’s “Morning Drive” airs weekdays at 7:30 a.m. on 89.7 FM in Pittsfield and 88.1 in Lee; and is simulcast on Access Pittsfield channel 1301. The full interview is available to view through PCTV Select.
