image description — Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus wave at last year's tree lighting in Pittsfield. The city's taking signups for the North Pole Calling Program until Dec. 9.

Santa Will Be Calling Pittsfield Children This Holiday Season

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Monday, November 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Santa and Mrs. Claus will be calling Pittsfield children to ask them what they want for Christmas.

The city of Pittsfield is hosting its 44th annual North Pole Calling Program this December.

Children from kindergarten to second-graders, or any children who still believes, will be receiving phone calls from the Clauses on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and Thursday, Dec 11, between 5 and 7:30 p.m. if signed up for the program.

The elementary schools sent home forms for parents to sign to get a call from the Clauses this holiday season.

"It's definitely a meaningful program. I think it gives kids an opportunity, if they don't have a chance to meet Santa in person at other community events. It kind of brings that magic right into their homes with a special phone call that maybe they weren't expecting," said Recreation & Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer.

Santa or the missus, or the occasional elf, hops on the line to learn more about the children and what gifts they are hoping to open on Christmas day — while also encouraging them to help out around the house to stay on the nice list.

"He asks what grade they're in, what school they go to, who their teacher is, what gifts they're hoping for this Christmas, and then anything that the parents want Santa or Mrs. Claus to share with their child, specifically, whether it's making sure their room is clean, they're being nice to their siblings, they're helping out mom and dad at home," VanBramer said.

Around 10 volunteers "assist" the Clauses, hoping to bring joy to children across the city.

"We try to just bring as much joy and happiness to the kids that we can make it making the holidays a bit more. Special for them," she said.

So far, around 30 families have signed up; last year, around 150 calls were made. Calls are also available in Spanish.

The program is also open to Pittsfield children who may not attending the public schools as well as older kids who would like a call.

The city is still seeking volunteers to make and anyone interested in signing up can contact VanBramer.

Residents can pick up a hard copy form at City Hall as well as fill out the forms online and email them to jvanbramer@cityofpittsfield.org or call 413-499-9371 for questions. All forms must be returned to VanBramer by Dec. 9.

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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.

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