Three Candidates Emerge For Pittsfield's Ward 3

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Three candidates have announced an intent to run for the Ward 3 council seat: Alisa Costa, Matthew Wrinn and William "Bill" Tyer.

Costa is a local advocate with a career in public policy and community organizing, Wrinn has a background in criminal justice and community involvement, and Tyer has served on various committees and boards in the community. 

Costa announced her candidacy in early March.

"I can't wait to get started doing what I'm most passionate about: creating a conversation between government and people. I think that's when we're at our best. Anyone who knows me since I moved here, I've been one of Pittsfield's biggest fans. And I'm always cheering on local business and individuals from all walks of life," she said in a video announcement.

"I want to use my skills in public policy and community organizing to tackle some of our city's challenges and try to get us to work together toward common goals. I think it's really important to have these conversations. And I can't wait to start knocking on doors and having them with the people of Ward 3 but I want to hear from you too."

Wrinn announced his candidacy on Wednesday.

"This city has always had a small-town feel, sporting events, the parade, Wahconah Park, the Boys and
Girls Club, and community support," he wrote in a press release.

"This community is like no other. There is nowhere else I want to be and there is nowhere else I want to raise my kids. The values of the people of this city are unmatched."

Tyer also announced his intent to run on Wednesday, explaining that he has been a part of the community for a long time and understands what has worked and what has not.

"I have always worked as a volunteer on campaigns state and local for many years," he wrote.

In November, Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Sherman indicated that he will be stepping aside and making room for new leadership in 2024 due to a lack of available time.  

Sherman had thrown his hat in the ring when former Ward 3 Councilor Nick Caccamo did not seek re-election.  He had previously served three terms on the council, during which he was president, before stepping down in 2013.

Wrinn said Sherman's shoes will be difficult to fill.

"Matt has respect, admiration, and regard for what Kevin has done and what Kevin means to this city and its residents," his campaign announcement reads.

He was a K-B Toys representative to the First Night Committee, which was a mayoral appointment by then Mayor Edward Reilly, and was also a founding adult member of the Pittsfield Youth Commission and served as a board member of Girls Inc.

Tyer also served on the Lee Planning Board, as a selectman for that town, and as a representative on the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Now retired, he previously worked for Berkshire Health Systems.

Tyer is raising his children after the death of his wife, Samantha, in 2018. His two daughters attended Herberg Middle School and his son, who has autism, graduated from Pittsfield High School.

In his bid for School Committee, he wanted to look deeply into the special needs programming to see how the district can improve city outcomes and analyze how money is spent to make sure it is in the most productive way.

Costa moved to Pittsfield in 2016 and has been a longtime community volunteer and activist.

She has more than 25 years of public policy and community organizing experience in the fields of public health, anti-hunger, and food systems, and most recently in cross-sector collaboration and systems change while running the Working Cities Pittsfield initiative from 2017-2021.

In 2021, she started a private consulting firm, Engaged Communities, focusing on community engagement and systems change for organizations seeking to build practices that strengthen their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Nomination papers become available on April 3 and have to be submitted to the register of voters for certification by July 21. The last day to submit nomination papers to the city clerk is Aug. 4, in time for a preliminary election on Sept. 19 and the general election on Nov. 7.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.