3 Certified Mayoral Candidates in Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Friday was the last day to submit nomination papers to the Registrar of Voters. 

So far there are currently three certified mayoral candidates and races in multiple wards.

John Krol has joined the list of certified mayoral candidates and will go up against Peter Marchetti and Karen Kalinowsky in a preliminary election on Sept. 19. The two top vote-getters will move on to the general election on Nov. 7.

Krol is a former city councilor and Marchetti and Kalinowsky are current city councilors.

Craig Gaetani and David Webber had also taken out papers for mayor but were not certified as of Thursday.

Kathleen Amuso has joined the at-large race and has her signatures certified. Amuso is a former two-term councilor and served on the School Committee for 10 years.  

She has stayed involved with local politics serving on the Licensing Board and the School Building Needs Commission.

Other certified at-large candidates include incumbents Earl Persip III and Peter White and newcomers Alisa Costa and Craig Benoit. Lucas Marion and Daniel Miraglia have also taken out papers.

Incumbent Kenneth Warren is unopposed for Ward 1.

Soncere Williams and Alexander Blumin have been certified in Ward 2 and Brittany Bandani had also taken out papers. Incumbent Charles Kronick  said he will not be seeking re-election.

Bill Tyer and Matthew Wrinn have been certified for the Ward 3 race. Miraglia had also taken out papers for the ward.

Incumbent James Conant is currently unopposed in Ward 4 and incumbent Patrick Kavey is currently unopposed in Ward 5. Ocean Sutton had taken out papers for Ward 5 but has yet to be certified.

Incumbent Dina Lampiasi is currently the only certified candidate in Ward 6, with Gaetani and Edward Carmel also taking out papers.

Jonathan Morey and incumbent Anthony Maffuccio are running for Ward 7. Rhonda Serre has also taken out papers for the ward.

There are currently six certified School Committee candidates: William Garrity, incumbent Sara Hathaway, incumbent William Cameron, incumbent Daniel Elias, Dominick Carmen Sacco, and Diana Belair. Stephanie Sabin has also taken out papers for the committee.

Incumbent City Clerk Michele Benjamin is currently running unopposed for the position.

The last day for candidates to withdraw is Aug. 8 and a ballot placement drawing will take place Aug. 10 for a preliminary election on Sept. 19. At this point, a preliminary election is expected for the mayoral race; should third candidates be certified in Wards 2, 3, 6 and 7, those will also appear on the preliminary ballot. 

Candidate list as of Thursday (*indicates certified candidate)

MAYOR

Peter M Marchetti*
John Michael Krol Jr.*
Craig C Gaetani
Karen M Kalinowsky*
David Donald Webber

CITY CLERK

Michele Marie Benjamin*

AT LARGE

Earl George Persip III*
Peter T White*
Alisa L Costa*
Craig Benoit*
Lucas Marion
Daniel T Miraglia
Kathleen Archey Amuso*

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.