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Voters Turning Out for Pittsfield Election

Plenty of room to vote at Capeless Elementary School during a slowdown earlier Tuesday. The city was at about a 16 percent turnout with five more hours of voting to go.  

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Voters are getting to the polls to elect the City Council, School Committee, city clerk, and a new mayor. 

There were 6,050 votes cast more than halfway through the day, which is a 19.64 percent turnout.  Numbers have already surpassed September's preliminary election, which had about 16 percent turnout. 

The last mayoral election saw a 42 percent turnout.

Candidates and supporters sign-holding at the polling stations on the sunny Tuesday that had just a few raindrops. 

Mayoral candidates Peter Marchetti and John Krol said they were feeling positive and looking forward to the results. Each has addressed alleged controversies during their campaigns. 

"I'm feeling really great. There's been a lot of positive feedback from the voters so far today and a lot of thumbs up and waves," Marchetti said. 

"So, we're looking forward to the eight o'clock hour when we'll start to hear the results." 

Krol was feeling "amazing" and said he couldn't have asked for better November weather, adding it would help turnout and his campaign. 

"I feel good," he said. "The vibes have been amazing. The people in this city have seen really everything that we've been talking about is resonating and at the polls, it's been just absolute positivity so we're excited." 

Temperatures were in the low 60s early on Tuesday, though a chill wind picked up later in the afternoon and the skies threatened rain. 

At-large candidates Pete White, Kathy Amuso, and Luke Marion are also feeling positive. 

"I'm feeling good," White said, explaining that he is "cautiously optimistic." 

Amuso explained that she has put in her best effort, going door to door, going to events, and sending out materials. 

"I've done everything that I possibly could so I am hoping the outcome is positive for me," she said. 

Marion is feeling excited and relaxed about the results, as it is the voters' choice.

"I'm not nervous at all," he said. "It's out of my hands. It's in everybody else's so there's nothing to be nervous about."

School Committee candidate William Garrity is feeling confident, as there are six people vying for six seats. 

Garrity is looking to be a fresh set of eyes on the committee and recognizes the importance of addressing student's mental health needs. 

"Budget season is going to come up real quick and with the end of the ESSER funds, one of the first priorities we need to figure out is how do we continue to support students' mental health after the ESSER funds run out under our current budget," he explained. 

"Because I think students' mental health is one of the most important things we need to address." 

By 3 p.m., 1,274 Ward 1 voters had cast their ballots at Reid Middle School. Voter turnout has risen from around 500 voters between 9 a.m. and noon to nearly 700 from noon to 3 p.m. as more residents visit the polling station.

Ward 5 precinct A had more than 390 votes cast by 3 p.m. 

Look for results on iBerkshires later tonight. 

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.