Pittsfield Election: Nomination Deadline Passes

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There will be a number of races in the November election after the deadline to submit nomination papers expired last week.
 
There will be a four-way race for mayor, which causes a preliminary election to narrow the field to two. On the Sept. 22 preliminary, incumbent Daniel Bianchi will be challenged by City Clerk Linda Tyer and Donna M. Walto, who has run in the past, and Craig Gaetani. Eric Bassett had taken out papers but did not return them to be eligible for the ballot. 
 
For City Council at-large, incumbents Kathleen Amuso, Churchill Cotton, and Melissa Mazzeo with be challenged by former Councilors Peter Marchetti, Joseph Nichols and Peter White, and newcomer Tayor DiSantis. 
 
Newcomer Tammy Ives will challenge Lisa Tully in Ward 1. Ives lost a bid for the position in the last election when Tully defeated incumbent Christine Yon. 
 
Newcomer Michael Merriam is challenging incumbent Kevin Morandi in Ward 2. Ward 3 incumbent Nicholas Caccamo  and Ward 4 incumbent Christopher are both running unopposed.
 
Former Councilor Richard Scapin is up against Donna Todd Rivers in Ward 5, where incumbent Jonathan Lothrop opted not to seek re-election. Devon Grierson had taken out paper but did not return them to be eligible for the ballot.
 
Ward 6 incumbent John Krol is running unopposed. Two others, Bryan Jones and Bruce Wood took out papers to oppose him but did not return them to be eligible for the ballot.
 
Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli is being challenged by Kathy Lloyd.
 
Nine candidates are seeking six spots on the School Committee. Those are incumbents Joshua Cutler, Cynthia Taylor, Katherine Yon, Pamela Farron, Daniel Elias and Anthony Reillo; and newcomers Richard Backer, Salvatore Frieri and Irwin Moiseff.
 
Former City Clerk Jody Phillips will be unopposed to fill the seat being vacated by Tyer for her run for mayor. Resident Aurelina Peguero had taken out papers but did not return them.
 
The deadline to submit papers for certification was on Friday, July 24. The eligible candidates now have until Aug. 7 to submit those certified papers to the city clerk to be placed on the ballot.
 
The candidates have until Aug. 11 to withdraw. The drawing for placement on the preliminary ballot will be on Aug. 13.
 
Residents who are not registered to vote have until Sept. 2 to register for the preliminary and until Oct. 14 for the general election. 
 
The preliminary will be held on Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and the general election will be on Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Tags: #PittsfieldElection,   election 2015,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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