Dalton Board of Health Nominates New Members

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Health last week couldn't decide between two board candidates so flipped a coin to appoint Dr. Patrick Carsell.

The board needed a fifth member, with the vote between Carsell and Rachel Branch. Branch was appointed as the alternate.

Members couldn't decide which would be the best fit — a resident with some experience advocating on public health issues, or a dentist with a background in health care.

Branch has deep roots in the Berkshires and ran for mayor in North Adams before moving to Dalton a few years ago. While living in Connecticut, she worked to stop an asphalt plant, and has attended zoning board meetings regarding power plants and how to clean them up. Branch hosts "Solutions Rising" on Dalton Community Television, focusing on local issues and vulnerable communities.

Carsell has a dental practice in Dalton and ran for Select Board last year. He has spoken out on many local concerns, such as the police station and other town infrastructure.

"I'm very impressed with both candidates. Pat is a resident of the town, and got a medical degree, and Rachel Branch has very strong credentials in fighting for things like pollution into a neighborhood," said James "Jimbo" Doucette. "For that reason, I think I'm voting for Rachel."

Fellow member Matthew Bryan agreed it as a "tough choice."

"They are both very good candidates in their own unique ways. However, I feel that we have a lot of community members already represented on the board, and we could make additional room for other health-care providers to provide their own input from their unique perspective and educational background," he said. "And so because of that, I'm voting for Pat."

"They're both highly qualified. I'm mainly leaning towards voting for Pat, but I'm hoping that Rachel may still be able to participate on the Board of Health," said

Nancy Hopper said she was leaning toward Carsell but hoped Branch could also participate on the Board of Health.

"I feel like they are both strong candidates as well," said Dr. Amanda Staples-Opperman. "Given the recent issues that the Board of Health has been dealing with over the last couple of years, I think that Rachel's background in particular is really, really supportive to the community, and that's what sets her above for me."

The voted was a tie at 2-2. The members came to a decision to keep both candidates involved by tossing a coin to see who would be appointed, and keeping the second candidate as an alternate.

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New Pittsfield City Council, School Committee Meets

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:25PM / Sunday, January 18, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new City Council and School Committee met for the first time last week, and were met with some hope from the public.

The council is largely the same as the last term, with Cameron Cunningham now representing Ward 2 and Kathy Moody Ward 7. On the other hand, the School Committee is all new aside from longtime member Daniel Elias.

Resident Paul Gregory, a regular at public comment, told the council, "I stand here tonight, I'm excited. I'm not complaining." Gregory said that with challenges come opportunities, and he is confident that the elected officials are up for it.

"I'm really, really looking forward to the leadership and the roles that each of you will play in order to bring out the best that Pittsfield is and can be," he said.

"We need to stress our values as a city. We need to recognize and identify why people should live in this city and what opportunities there are both for entertainment, for employment, and for activities."

Councilor at Large Earl Persip III was elected council president during the inauguration ceremony earlier this month, and Mayor Peter Marchetti was elected to chair the School Committee. During the committee's meeting on Wednesday, Marchetti noted that this would be the last time "communication by the chair" will be placed on the agenda because he will deliver comments as other members do.

United Educators of Pittsfield President Jeanne Lemmond, also offered well wishes to the School Committee.

"It's going to be an interesting time working with so many new faces, and the UEP is looking forward to a very positive working relationship with you as we go into negotiations and any other business that we bring forward to you," she said.

Gregory, who also addressed the School Committee, hopes they work collaboratively to support each other, especially with the district's "ambitious" efforts to restructure the middle school levels and build a new school in the West Side.

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