Berkshire County Historical Society Celebrates Plant a Tree Day

11:45AM / Wednesday, September 27, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 pm as they celebrate Plant a Tree Day with a ceremonial planting of a young American elm "Jefferson" on Park Square.

The tree will be planted to honor the Berkshires' first known environmentalist Lucretia Williams. Williams threw herself before the woodsman's axe to save a towering elm known as the Pittsfield Elm on Park Square in 1789.

"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."

This free event is open to the public.

Tags: park square, trees,

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Pittsfield Mayor Offers Police Chief Position to Unnamed Candidate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
08:01AM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A candidate has been offered the police chief position, and their name will be announced at an upcoming press conference.

On Thursday, Mayor Peter Marchetti's office confirmed that an offer has been made for Thomas Dawley's successor. The person has not been named, nor the date of the press conference.

iBerkshires.com will provide coverage on that day.

"The Mayor has made an offer to a candidate and that name will be released at an upcoming press conference," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine VanBramer wrote via email.

The mayor's office was unable to provide details about the chief's salary at this point, because they are working to finalize a contract, VanBramer said.

Police Chief Thomas Dawley announced his intent to retire late last year after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department. He was appointed the interim police chief in June 2023 and permanent chief a year later.

Marchetti was charged with appointing the new chief, and Capt. Marc Strout has led the department in the interim.

In the fall, he requested that a Civil Service assessment be conducted for a new chief, and two candidates took the test.

The two candidates who took the police chief exam in December were Lt. Marc Maddalena and Capt. John Murphy.

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