Pittsfield Mayor Dan Bianchi is leaving it up the city council to revive a $9.5 million capital projects budget it shot down three weeks ago.
The capital budget failed to get the necessary two-thirds vote at the council’s June 24th meeting. The spending plan includes funding for sidewalk repairs and bleacher replacement at Pittsfield High School and the final phase of the downtown Streetscape project. The council had recommended a $7.5 million plan. But, the sticking point for the four councilors who rejected the mayor’s proposal was that it did not designate money for a new fire engine. Here’s Mayor Bianchi.
“I think its four city councilors who’ve decided to kill the capital budget just so they can flex muscles,” said Bianchi Tuesday afternoon.
Bianchi says one of the four councilors in opposition can ask the council to revisit the plan or the projects could be presented to the council individually.
Tonight’s city council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
