Pittsfield Rotary Club Honors John F. McLaughlin III with Paul Harris Award

07:20AM / Thursday, May 22, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD — The Pittsfield Rotary Club has announced John F. McLaughlin, III as the recipient of the Paul Harris Award.

Established in 1976, the annual award recognizes a club member for notable achievements and contributions.

McLaughlin became a member of the Rotary Club in January 1998. He is currently serving his second three-year term on the Board of Directors and held the position of President from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, he is the current Vice President of the Pittsfield Rotary Club Foundation and is scheduled to become President in July 2025.

His involvement includes serving as Chair of the Fellowship Committee and volunteering for various community service initiatives over the past 27 years, such as collecting donations during the food drive, pancake breakfasts, passing out books for the Dictionary Project, distributing backpacks for children in need, Ringing the Bell for the Salvation Army.

He has also served multiple times as Sergeant-At-Arms and has been involved in fundraising for the Benevolence Fund through fines.

McLaughlin holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Northeastern University and works as a Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual, where he has been employed since 1997. He resides in Dalton with two of his four children and is married to Jacqueline Duquette.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Greylock Youth SummerFest

Come join in on the wealth building fun! August 3-8. Click for event details. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

View Full Story