image description — Pittsfield's Christmas tree is growing in Park Square, gaining 3 feet in height in the past two years.

Pittsfield Lights Now 12-Foot Christmas Tree

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:36PM / Monday, December 08, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Events coordinator Jennifer VanBramer says the annual tree lighting has been held since 1945.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city lit its permanent Christmas tree, now 12 feet tall, to dozens of cheering community members on Friday.

The annual tree lighting ceremony drew adults and children to Park Square as they waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive. It has been a Pittsfield tradition for 80 years, and a dedicated Christmas tree was planted in 2023.

"This event has been a long-standing Pittsfield tradition since 1945, and every year it reminds us just how special our city truly is," Recreation & Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer said.

"Each light on this tree is a symbol of each of us, our families, our neighbors, our shared hopes. When we come together, we shine brighter. Whether you've lived here your whole life or are joining us for the first time, thank you for being part of what makes Pittsfield such a special place to call home."

Two children flipped the magic switch that lit the tree after a 10-second countdown. Soon after, Santa arrived on a firetruck and heard gift requests.

Mayor Peter Marchetti thanked people for coming out on "probably one of the coldest nights of the year.

"But it's not raining, and we've all been here in the rain before to light the tree," he said.

The young fir started around 9 feet tall, and is expected to grow up to 50 feet in time.

The Pittsfield High School chorus performed carols before and after the tree lighting, artists Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey created ice sculptures during the event, and non-perishable food items were collected for the Christian Center's food pantry.

Lipton Market provided free hot chocolate and coffee in Park Square during the event, and Otto's Kitchen & Comfort will also host a free Hot Chocolate Bar and photos with the Grinch inside their East Street restaurant.

The event was a part of Downtown Pittsfield Inc.'s festive frolic that continued into Saturday.

Tags: holiday story, tree lighting,

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Dalton Officials Talk Meters Amidst Rate Increases

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:44AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The anticipated rise in the water and sewer rates has sparked discussion on whether implementing meters could help mitigate the costs for residents

The single-family water rate has been $160 since 2011, however, because of the need to improve the town's water main infrastructure, prices are anticipated to increase.

"The infrastructure in town is aged … we have a bunch of old mains in town that need to be changed out," said Water Superintendent Robert Benlien during a joint meeting with the Select Board.

The district had contracted Tighe and Bond to conduct an asset management study in 2022, where it was recommended that the district increase its water rates by 5 percent a year over five years, he said.

This should raise enough funds to take on the needed infrastructure projects, Benlien said, cautioning that the projections are a few years old so the cost estimates have increased since then.

"The AC mains, which were put in the '60s and '70s, have just about reached the end of their life expectancy. We've had a lot of problems down in Greenridge Park," which had an anticipated $4 million price tag, he said.

The main on Main Street, that goes from the Pittsfield/town line to North Street, and up through woods to the tank, was priced at $7.6 million in 2022, he said.

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