Dalton Town Elections Monday, Planning Seat Vacant

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The town election is this Monday at the Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
 
Unlike recent elections, all open seats are uncontested this year, with one vacancy still remaining on the Planning Board, which will require write-in votes to fill the seat.
 
The Planning Board has two open seats but only one candidate on the ballot — William Striebel III. However, two citizens have stepped forward to run write-in campaigns: Richard Hall and Mary Tresa Devereaux.  Both Hall and Devereaux have been endorsed by the Dalton Clear Air Coalition and Democratic Town Committee. 
 
The Select Board has two open seats for the three-year positions and only two candidates — incumbent John Boyle and newcomer Jeannie Ingram. 
 
Select Board member Daniel Esko has decided not to run again after serving on the board for six years. 
 
Boyle is a longtime public servant, having spent 27 years on the Select Board and six years on the Finance Committee, along with serving on numerous local and regional boards, including currently representing Dalton on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority and chairing the Dalton Redevelopment Authority.
 
He aims to work with other government officials and bodies to maintain financial stability while supporting education and infrastructure, noting that the town’s biggest challenge is limited funding.
 
Although new to the area, Ingram has jumped right into the Dalton community, attending numerous meetings and taking notes. 
 
She has held a range of leadership and volunteer roles, including chair of the Hingham Historical Commission and Dalton Cultural Council, founding president of the Su Escuela Language Academy Parent Association, and a board member of Pittsfield's Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center.
 
Ingram said she fully supports the Capital Planning Committee to help identify and prioritize projects that will require difficult conversations and multiple perspectives in order to succeed because of the financial challenges facing the town. 
 
She says her experience in fundraising and community engagement will help her support informed, transparent decision-making,
 
Also on the ballot is one seat for moderator with incumbent Anthony Doyle running for re-election, one seat for cemetery trustee with Mary Cherry running, one seat for Finance Committee with Diane Lowe running, and two seats for the library trustees with incumbents Max Ehrlich and Fred Sears running for re-election. 

Tags: election 2026,   town elections,   


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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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