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 Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
03:21PM / Wednesday, March 25, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain.

Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here.

According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget.

These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts.

The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options.

Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC.

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