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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Lee: 3 Miles of Route 20 Being Repaved Next Year

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:18PM / Monday, July 13, 2026

LEE, Mass. — Beginning next year, the state will repave three miles of Route 20 and reinforce two bridges, one over the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Last week, the state Department of Transportation held a virtual design public hearing for the project. In addition to milling and resurfacing of the route, bridge structures L-05-024 (over Greenwater Brook) and L-05-052 (over I-90) will see maintenance repairs.

"We just wanted to thank MassDOT for doing this project. We're very supportive of having the road redone and appreciate the work on it," Town Administrator Christopher Brittain said.

"The town of Lee is looking forward to having the road repaved."

Construction will begin in the spring of 2027.

Traffic will be maintained with short-term flagging operations, and steel plates will conceal deck patching over Greenwater Brook. There will be staged construction on the bridge over the highway, with a single alternating travel lane controlled by a temporary signal.

The project is estimated to cost $6.8 million, 90 percent from the federal government and 10 percent from the state; it is in the FY26 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

The hearing included public information on activities and rights-of-way needs for tree trimming, new utility poles, grading, drainage swales, and a driveway apron along the project corridor, items identified during the late design phases.

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