Santa to Continue Historical Tradition of Calling Pittsfield Children

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ho, ho ho, pick up the phone!

Santa's annual tradition of calling Pittsfield children around the holidays continues this year.

Kids will get a call from the man himself, Mrs. Claus, or one of their trusty elves on Wednesday, Dec. 15, and Thursday, Dec. 16, between 5 and 7:30 p.m.

The North Pole Calling Program is conducted through the city's Department of Community Development Recreation Program and has been around for even longer than people may expect; possibly almost eighty years.

"It's a long-standing program that we definitely want to keep the traditional alive for," Recreation & Special Events Coordinator Becky Manship said. "It's a great program."

Recently, Manship and Park, Open Space and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath were looking through city scrapbook archives and found evidence that suggested the program may have been going on since 1945.

"After the [World War II], recreation programs really took off in the city of Pittsfield, and this one is, we believe, one of the ones that was included as the Halloween parade, and the tree lighting and all the other programs started back then," she explained, adding that it is one of the most beloved programs the city has.

Forms are sent home through the schools so that parents can sign their children up for a call.  Traditionally, it is aimed at children from kindergarten to second grade but older kids, or anyone who believes, are more than welcome to participate as well.

There are also virtual forms available on the city's website and additional hard copies at the city clerk's office at City Hall. Forms must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 13, so that Santa can plan accordingly.

Because of Santa's long calling list, there is no guarantee that a child will be called on a specific day.  There is space on the form to request a preferred day but there is no guarantee that he will call on that day, though he will try.

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.