Pittsfield Inauguration Includes State of the City Address

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Saturday, January 03, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, a largely similar City Council will be inaugurated, along with an almost completely new School Committee.

The ceremony kicks off elected officials' two-year terms. City Clerk Michele Benjamin, at-large and ward councilors, and School Committee members will be sworn in at 10 a.m. on Jan. 5 in the council chambers at City Hall.

Many familiar faces will return to represent Pittsfield constituents, as only two councilors will be new.

Earl Persip III, Peter White, Alisa Costa, and Kathleen Amuso held their seats as councilors at large during the municipal election on Nov. 4. There were no races for Wards 1, 3, and 4. Patrick Kavey was re-elected to Ward 5 and Dina Lampiasi to Ward 6 over challengers Michael Grady and Walter Powell, respectively.

Vacancies in the remaining wards were filled by newcomers. Katherine Nagy Moody secured representation of Ward 7 over Anthony Maffuccio, and Cameron Cunningham the Ward 2 seat over Corey Walker.

Brittany Noto did not seek re-election in Ward 2, and Rhonda Serre stepped down from her Ward 7 seat in the fall to work in the Pittsfield Public Schools.

The School Committee will only see one incumbent, Daniel Elias, on the six-member body. Ciara Batory, Sarah Muil, Katherine Yon, Heather McNeice, and Carolyn Barry were also elected, ousting Jacob Klein, Geoffrey Buerger, and Vicky Smith.

Exiting the School Committee will be Chair William Cameron, Diana Belair, William Garrity, Sara Hathaway, and Dominick Sacco, who did not run for re-election. Hathaway ran unsuccessfully for councilor at large.

This was a significant turnout for the School Committee during an eventful year that included the middle school restructuring, the proposal to rebuild and consolidate Crosby Elementary School and Conte Community School on West Street, and the staffing controversy that Pittsfield High School became embroiled in in late 2024.

The council will also elect a president and vice president, and Mayor Peter Marchetti will give an inaugural and state of the city address. Community members are invited to join the ceremony in person, and it will be live broadcast on Pittsfield Community Television.

White served as president for the 2024-2025 term, and Persip as vice president.

The annual state of the city address given by the mayor gives reflections on the municipality's year and outlines priorities for the new year.

Tags: inauguration,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BCC Begins Search for New President

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:52PM / Sunday, January 04, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College has begun its search for a new president as Ellen Kennedy prepares to retire at the end of the school year.

Led by a Presidential Search Committee and a search firm, candidates will be interviewed in early 2026, and the college’s new leader is set to begin work in July.

"The new President will strengthen and expand partnerships with regional businesses, industries, and community organizations that create pathways to student success and workforce development," the job profile reads.

"With a sincere commitment to fostering an environment of care for students, employees, and the broader community, the President will work alongside dedicated faculty and staff, community partners, and elected officials to advance the College's regional prominence. In an era of rapid technological, demographic, and educational change, this leader will champion innovative approaches to teaching and learning while maintaining the College's historic commitment to access and opportunity."

Kennedy announced her intent to retire a few months ago, feeling that BCC is in a good place to welcome new leadership. Her last term will end in the spring, after more than 17 years with the college, 14 of which she spent as president. She looks back on the students, faculty, and campus as a whole with pride.

In 2025, BCC was designated as a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, a national non-profit focused on student success and community economic mobility. The college's enrollment is up 20 percent this year, and, in an interview with iBerkshires, Kennedy said the state's tuition coverage for all 15 community colleges has been a game-changer for Berkshire County. BCC's nursing program has also doubled in size.

The college is seeking a "visionary, collaborative leader" to lead the institution’s mission of providing equitable, accessible, and transformative learning opportunities that meet the current and evolving needs of Berkshire County's diverse community.

The next president will earn between $240,000 to $300,000, a salary established by the Board of Higher Education, and candidates are asked to submit application materials by Jan. 26.