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Newcomers Roll to Victory in Clarksburg

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Christa Marsh
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Clarksburg voters swept two newcomers into office on Tuesday.

Christa Marsh outpolled incumbent Marie Allard 147-91 90 (with one blank) for the town treasurer's position and Audrey Matys defeated longtime Planning Board member Norman D'Amico 149-66 for a vacant seat on the board.

Town Clerk Carol Jammalo said 238 of the town's 1,121 registered voters, or about 21 percent, cast ballots at the Senior Center.

More than 80 votes had been cast by 2 p.m., about two hours after the polls opened at the Senior Center.

Voting had been steady, said poll worker Phillip Fosser, who expected most votes to be cast between 5 and 7, when balloting closed.

The treasurer's race was an upset, with Allard, a veteran town official ousted by former Stamford, Vt., resident Marsh.

Allard served 14 years as treasurer, and a term as town clerk. It was the first time she'd been challenged for office.


Marie Allard, left, and supporter Chelsea Ciolkowski.
Both candidates spent the afternoon at the entrance to the Senior Center driveway with signs at the ready.

D'Amico, also a longtime town official, had been encouraged to run for the Planning Board when it appeared no one would stand for the vacant office. But Matys, a native of Clarksburg, decided to try for the office as an entry into public service.

All other candidates for offices were unopposed, including incumbent Selectman Carl McKinney, who garnered 200 votes, and Fosser, who was returned as War Memorial trustee with 219 votes. Both will serve three-year terms.

Also re-elected was longtime Moderator Bryan Tanner with 217 votes for a one-year term; Tree Warden Ernest Dix, 213 votes, one year; Board of Health member Timothy Shea, 190 votes for a three-year term, and School Committee member David Berger, 196 votes for a three-year term.

Fire Chief Carlyle "Chip" Chesbro Jr. received a write-in vote each for moderator and tree warden; Paula Wells got a write-in votefor Board of Health
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PCTV Pizza Fundraiser Successful in Second Year

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

KJ Nosh won Judge's Choice for best overall pizza. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 170 people gathered for the love of pizza and community television on Thursday.

Pittsfield Community Television's second Eatza Pizza fundraiser was held at Berkshire Hills Country Club, featuring pies from seven local eateries. Hungry attendees sampled pizzas ranging from classic cheese to veggie, meat, and even hot honey topped.

The event raised about $4,300 — topping last year's total of about $3,500.

"PCTV and WTBR are nonprofit organizations. A lot of people don't realize that because they think of other types of organizations as nonprofits. We're in that same vein where we need to raise money," Executive Director Shawn Serre explained.

"And we do have some regular sources of funding but a lot of those are tied to cable revenues and cable revenues, as everyone knows, are going down so that means that we have to work even harder at events like this to make make up the difference."

PortaVia, located in Dalton, took home the People's Choice title for the second year in a row, being coined the "reigning defending undisputed" champion. In addition to a few classics, it offered best sellers such as black garlic pizza and the "Not Your Granny's Pie!" with grilled chicken, granny smith apples, and bacon.

"It's a great honor. Our team really needed a win like this right now," owner James Boland said. "We're happy to be a part of it. I think it's a well-done event, and we're honored to be a part of it."

Manager Mattie George felt the win was "magical."

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