State primary approaches

By Kate AbbottPrint Story | Email Story
Lindey Kaiden, a clerk in the Pittsfield registrar of voters office, displays a mock ballot of the type used in new voting machines in the city and Lee and Lenox. (Photo By Anthony Fyden)
Berkshire voters, along with residents across the state, will go to the polls on March 2 for the presidential primary, and voters in Lee, Lenox and Pittsfield will use new voting machines that could help things run a bit smoother. But whether voters will turn out in large numbers remains to be seen. Local officials are concerned because of past experience. “People don’t realize that this is how their candidate gets to the November election,” said Lee Town Clerk Suzanne Scarpa. “If they don’t vote for a candidate here [in the primary], they may not have the chance to vote for him later. It’s a shame people don’t get out there more and vote.” There are 3,832 registered voters in Lee. Scarpa estimated that only 200 to 500 vote in most primaries. A race among local candidates might bring out 1,000 voters, she said. It typically takes a hotly contested race to draw people to a primary. In recent primaries, turnout in South County as a whole has been hard put to reach 30 percent and often has been closer to 10 percent, officials said. This year, prognosticators have all but given the nod to Sen. John Kerry as the Democratic nominee, although he is one of 10 candidates on the ballot. George W. Bush is alone on the Massachusetts ballot for the Republican nomination. Peggy Byron, chairwoman of the Lee Democratic Town Committee, would like to see more people revved up about the election. “The Democrats have to unite and stand behind one candidate,” Byron said. “We do have low voter turnout here, and it’s very sad. The lowest turnout is for 18 to 24-year-olds, and that’s even sadder. It’s their future. It’s their world.” Lenox Town Clerk Marie Colvin said turnout for some state primaries has been as low as only 76 of the town’s 3,605 registered voters. The last presidential primary drew just over 1,000, she said. Great Barrington and Stockbridge town clerks confirmed low voter turnout in their towns, as well. In Stockbridge, 456 out of more than 1,500 registered voters turned out for the last presidential primary, and Town Clerk Linda Hunt said the town has had about as many voters at state primaries since then. Unenrolled voters can vote in primaries but often do not, Scarpa noted. These voters simply have to go to their local polling site and inform the poll worker which party’s ballot they would like. Scarpa said unenrolled voters are often reluctant to declare themselves for one party or another, even temporarily, because they are concerned about their privacy. During a presidential primary, unenrolled voters regain their independent status as soon as they hand in the ballot, Colvin said. Both towns and Pittsfield will use new “Acuvote” voting machines for the first time on Tuesday. Great Barrington and Stockbridge have used the new machines for a couple of years. The new machines replaced lever machines that allowed people to correct their vote after they had cast it. Lee never had a problem with the lever machines, but federal election legislation passed in 2002 mandated replacing the old equipment, Scarpa said. The government is reimbursing Lee for $5,800 of the $6,250 the town spent on the voting machine, she said. Along with the new voting machine, Lee got 35 booths, one of which is accessible to the handicapped. Using the new system, voters will receive a paper ballot and take it into private booth to fill out. Voters will shade the circle next to the name of the candidate they choose and put the ballot into a slot. Then the machine will store the ballot in a locked box, so the vote can be reviewed. If a voter makes a mistake, the machine will send the ballot back and explain why. Voters have three chances to fill out a ballot. “It’s a very simple process, and we will explain everything,” Scarpa said. Voters on Tuesday will also elect town committee members, roles that receive little fanfare but can impact an election. There’s also a contested race for Democrat state committeeman, with incumbent Peter G. Arlos and Matt L. Baron of Chesterfield vying to represent Berkshire County Democrats at the state level. Margaret Johnson Ware of Williamstown is the only Berkshire Democrat running for state committeewoman.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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