PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ward 3 City Councilor Matthew Wrinn, who is running unopposed for re-election this November, says he’s focused on solving some of Pittsfield’s most difficult problems — especially those surrounding downtown safety, homelessness, and infrastructure.
In an interview on WTBR’s Morning Drive, hosted by Bill Sturgeon, Wrinn said his experience over the past two years has prepared him to push for more collaborative, effective policy solutions. “I really want to continue and try to get some of the problems fixed,” he said. “We’re dealing with some tough times.”
While noting that the city’s homeless ordinance began with “good intentions,” Wrinn said it’s time for a reset. “I think we’re at a point now where we have to scrap the entire thing, start from scratch, and create some other ideas,” he said. He hopes to launch a “downtown community initiative” in January, bringing together the police department, sheriff’s office, social workers, and others to develop alternative strategies.
Wrinn was also candid in acknowledging that not all disruptive behavior downtown can be attributed to the homeless population. “I’m not sure all the riff raff that’s happening downtown is all the homeless folks,” he said. “Mental disorders are causing a lot of these problems.”
The councilor said that while he supports holding individuals accountable for unlawful behavior, broader structural change is also needed. “There needs to be consequences for actions,” he said. “If you want to defecate on a business owner’s door, then you should be prosecuted.”
Wrinn said local business owners have largely been overlooked in the current conversation. “Everybody’s kind of been siding with the homeless advocates,” he said. “What about these business owners? We wouldn’t have anything if it wasn’t for them.”
He also expressed frustration with the personal attacks that have come with public service. “People calling my house and calling me a fascist is not helping anyone,” he said. “When I’m getting Facebook messages on my personal account — calling me a racist because I supported a homeless camping ordinance — that’s not how we fix anything.”
On the topic of infrastructure, Wrinn cited the city’s fiber optic expansion as a key opportunity for economic growth. “Maybe people are going to want to work here because now they have the opportunity,” he said. “This project will move us forward.”
He also said that while he was initially skeptical of road-narrowing and speed bumps, he changed his position after listening to constituents. “The more I learned, the more families I talked to, I’ve come around to supporting speed bumps in certain situations,” he said.
Wrinn stressed the urgent need for more police officers in the city. “I’d love to have two guys walking up and down North Street all day,” he said. “But there’s not enough people.” He said the civil service hiring process is too slow, and that Pittsfield should pursue more lateral transfers from officers in other cities.
Looking ahead to the next term, Wrinn said middle school restructuring is another issue that should be approached with caution. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to take on such a major restructuring project with so many new folks in the administration,” he said, adding that while the interim superintendent “has good ideas,” the city should “circle back and look at it in a few years.”
Asked about his motivation for seeking a second term, Wrinn said, “I’m lucky to be running unopposed because I’ve been able to focus on the work, not campaigning. I’m not trying to gaslight anyone to win votes — I’m just trying to make sensible solutions for the city.”
He said his most rewarding moments as a councilor come from helping residents solve everyday problems. “Just getting a phone call from somebody that has a problem and being able to resolve that for them — and having them say thanks — that means a lot,” he said.
Wrinn said he tries to be responsive to every resident, whether their messages are positive or not. “I get back to every single person that contacts me,” he said. “Even the ones that have nothing nice to say.”
In his final message to voters, Wrinn said he’s grateful for the opportunity to serve and plans to continue approaching the job with transparency and dedication. “My voice and opinion help the whole city, not just Ward 3,” he said. “I appreciate the support, and I’ll continue to do my best.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on the October 6, 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=54051. 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.
