Wahconah Park Progress, Budget Discipline, and Homelessness Response Dominate Pittsfield Councilor Earl Persip’s Morning Drive Discussion
Staff Report
June 27, 2025 — Pittsfield, MA
City Councilor at-Large Earl Persip offered residents an in-depth look at several high-profile city issues during a wide-ranging appearance Friday morning on WTBR’s Morning Drive with host and PCTV Executive Director Shawn Serre.
Persip, who also serves as vice president of the Pittsfield City Council, discussed the status of Wahconah Park, the city’s budget process, and the city’s evolving response to homelessness, among other topics.
Wahconah Park: Hope for Baseball’s Return
As chair of the Wahconah Park Restoration Committee, Persip acknowledged the public’s frustration over the prolonged closure of the historic ballpark, which has been without organized baseball for several years. He confirmed that the city is still targeting a spring or early summer 2026 construction start for a new grandstand.
“It’s a little slower than I’d like, but we are moving forward,” Persip said. He explained that the deterioration of the park’s grandstand—especially the unexpected severity of the structural damage—forced the city’s hand. “We probably should have started this process a long time ago,” he admitted.
While no teams are confirmed, Persip said the city is focused on making the new stadium attractive to collegiate baseball clubs and youth leagues. “It needs to be a clean, safe, family-friendly space—something we can all be proud of,” he said.
A Lean Budget and Smart Savings
Persip praised Mayor Peter Marchetti and his administration for delivering what he described as a “no-fluff” municipal budget this year, with a modest 2.8% increase.
“There was really nothing to cut unless you wanted to cut jobs or entire departments,” he noted.
One of the most successful budget moves, Persip said, was the city’s overhaul of its trash and recycling program. Recycling rates more than doubled—from 9% to about 20%—and the city saved approximately $600,000. “It’s one of the rare changes that actually worked better than people expected,” he said.
On capital investments, Persip highlighted the city’s use of free cash to fund road construction without borrowing—a move he said avoids the long-term cost of bonding for projects with shorter lifespans.
Water, Sewer, and Health Costs
Discussing utility rates, Persip defended gradual increases in water and sewer bills, arguing that the city must support its infrastructure responsibly.
“We went years without raising it, and that made the eventual jump a lot worse,” he said. Investing in the water infrastructure now avoids bigger problems down the road: “People don’t want to see brown water coming out of their taps.”
He also cited health insurance costs—rising 12–14% this year—as an unavoidable budget strain. “That’s a federal and state issue,” he said. “Local governments are just absorbing the hit every year.”
Encampment Ordinance and Homeless Services
With a controversial ordinance regulating encampments up for subcommittee discussion Monday June 30th, Persip emphasized the need to balance compassion with practicality.
“We can care about the unhoused and still ensure downtown businesses aren’t having people sleep in their doorways,” he said.
He stressed that while enforcement is part of the picture, the city is also working on providing more public facilities like restrooms, showers, and secure storage lockers. “We’re not there yet, but we are working on it,” he said. “Government doesn’t move fast, but we are trying.”
Persip urged members of the public planning to speak at Monday’s open mic to offer constructive suggestions. “Criticism is fine, but bring ideas. We don’t have all the answers,” he said.
Economic Jolt from Unistress Layoffs
Persip expressed concern over the announced temporary layoff of 233 workers at the Unistress/Petricca Industries in Pittsfield due to delays in federally related construction contracts.
“In Pittsfield, that’s a big number,” he said. “It’s a reminder that manufacturing still matters here, and that federal decisions ripple through communities like ours.”
Restructuring in the Schools
On the proposed middle school restructuring plan—shifting to a Grade 5–6 and Grade 7–8 model—Persip voiced support as both a councilor and a parent.
“It’s not working now. We’re losing students at 6th grade,” he said. “A smaller jump from elementary to middle school might help keep more families in the district.”
Looking Ahead
Serre and Persip touched on several other topics—including the redesign of North Street and the rise of short-term rental debates. Persip promised to return for future updates, and stressed that while not every decision will be popular, city leaders are trying to steer Pittsfield on a thoughtful, sustainable path.
“You’re never going to make everyone happy,” he said. “But if everyone’s a little unhappy, maybe that means we’re close to getting it right.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on the June 27 broadcast of WTBR’s “Morning Drive” and was written in part using ChatGPT. To view the entire program, visit https://pittsfieldtv.org/program/?id=53341
