PCTV and iBerkshires to Host Pittsfield Debates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Community Television, in partnership with iBerkshires.com, will present televised debates featuring candidates for the Pittsfield municipal election, in all contested races over two nights next week. 
 
The debates will begin on Monday, Oct. 30 at Berkshire Community College in the K-111 auditorium beginning at 5:00 p.m.  The first debate will feature Ward 2 candidates Brittany Bandani and Alexander Blumin.  The Ward 3 debate will begin at 6:15 p.m. with candidates Matthew Wrinn and Bill Tyer.  At 7:00 p.m., the seven at-large city council candidates will face off in a 90-minute debate. The candidates for the at-large race are incumbents Pete White and Earl Persip as well as challengers Craig Benoit, Kathy Amuso, Daniel Miraglia, Alisa Costa, and Lucas Marion.   
 
On Wednesday, Nov. 1, another series of debates will happen at Berkshire Community College in the Boland Theater beginning at 5:00 p.m. The first debate will feature Ward 6 candidates Craig Gaetani and incumbent Dina Lampiasi.  The Ward 7 debate will begin at 6:15 p.m. with candidates Rhonda Serre and incumbent Anthony Maffuccio.  At 7:00 p.m. the mayoral debate will feature John Krol and Peter Marchetti.
 
The series of debates will be moderated by representatives of iBerkshires and Pittsfield Community Television.  The events are open to the public and will be broadcast live on PCTV CityLink Channel 1303 in Pittsfield, on the PCTV Select App available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, iOS, and Google Play, and on the Pittsfield Community Television Facebook page.
 
PCTV and iBerkshires are also soliciting questions from the public.  You can submit your question for the candidates to election@pittsfieldtv.org, and the panelists may choose to use the questions in the debates. 
 
Pittsfield's municipal election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7.  Polls open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. 

Tags: #PittsfieldElection,   debate,   PCTV,   


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Pittsfield Mayor Offers Police Chief Position to Unnamed Candidate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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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