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School Committee candidates drop their names in to the tumbler for the ballot drawing in City Hall.
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Pittsfield Draws Ballot Positions for Nov. 4 Election

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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City Clerk Michele Benjamin pulls names for ballot positions last week with Assistant Clerk Joshua Munn and Head Clerk Sandra Knight. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In preparation for the Nov. 4 municipal election, candidates for contested seats drew their ballot positions. 

City Clerk Michele Benjamin addressed a small crowd in council chambers on Thursday, first congratulating all candidates for their nominations and placement on the ballot. 

Positions were drawn for at-large, Ward 2, Ward 5, Ward 6, Ward 7, and School Committee. At-large candidates Lawrence Klein, Earl Persip III, and Sara Hathaway attended.  

At-large ballot positions: 

Karen Kalinowsky
Lawrence Klein 
Kathleen Amuso 
Earl Persip III 
Peter White 
Alisa Costa 
Sara Hathaway

The four candidates with the top votes will be selected as councilors. 

For Ward 2, Cameron Cunningham attended and drew second position behind Corey Walker.  

Both Patrick Kavey and his challenger, Michael Grady attended the drawing. Kavey drew first position.  Ward 6 candidate Walter Powell attended and drew first position over incumbent Dina Lampiasi. 

For Ward 7, Katherine Moody attended and drew second position, with Anthony Maffuccio appearing first. 



Nine candidates are running for a School Committee seat and Vicky Smith, Katherine Yon, and a representative of Jacob Klein attended. 

Lawrence Klein, at-large candidate, was able to put his son's name into the drawing wheel.  

He explained that his son, Jacob Klein, is a senior at Pittsfield High School, freshly 18, and wanted to give back to the community and run for local politics alongside his father. This is why Klein chose to run for an at-large seat. 

"I say whether I win the position or not, I've won because I've done this great, fantastic thing with my son," he said. 

"And think about this. How many people can say that in their first election that they got to vote in, they got to vote for themselves and their father or their mother?"

School Committee ballot positions: 

Ciara Batory 
Sarah Muil 
Daniel Elias 
Katherine Yon 
Jacob Klein 
Geoffrey Buerger 
Heather McNiece 
Vicky Smith 
Carolyn Barry 


Tags: ballot,   election 2025,   municipal election,   

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Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 
 
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
 
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 
 
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
 
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 
 
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
 
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
 
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