An unusual power of the Pittsfield City Council — the charter objection — ended the final budget debate before it began. Confused by that term and want to know what it all means? Check out our explainer.

A charter objection by Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick Tuesday night essentially removed the council's ability to influence the city's budget for the impending new fiscal year.

After an ordinance and rules subcommittee meeting last week, at least four Pittsfield city councilors conceded there might be a better way to combat pollution across the city and voted not to recommend a nips ban. The full council will consider the issue Tuesday night.

Verizon Wireless withdrew its lawsuit against the Pittsfield Board of Health in federal court last week, saying its legal questions are essentially moot following a board vote to withdraw its cease-and-desist order.

The school district budget makes up about 38 percent of the city’s overall operating budget for FY 2023, which also received a preliminary approval by the council on Thursday night in a 8-3 vote.

Pittsfield city councilors recommended Mayor Linda Tyer increase her budget proposal by an additional $115,000 to hire another building inspector and fulling fund the building maintenance budget for city schools.

The City Council voted 6-4 to ask Mayor Linda Tyer to increase the amount of free cash that will be directed towards reducing the tax rate next fiscal year in recognition of the lean economic times facing most city residents.

The biggest topic of the Tuesday evening meeting, councilors spoke about feeling compelled to act after months of hearing the community's cries for more resources and better outcomes for residents struggling with their mental health.

The vote’s main power is to encourage Mayor Linda Tyer and Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn to begin several conversations around the funding and policy portions of body camera discussion — and show the depth of the public support behind eventually bringing police body cameras to Pittsfield.