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Pittsfield Sees Potential Candidates for All Positions

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There are potential candidates for all positions on the Nov. 4 ballot.

There are several wards where only the incumbent councilor has taken out papers so far.

It's election season again, and as of Thursday, potential candidates have taken out papers for city clerk, councilor at large, Wards 1-7, and the School Committee. Nomination papers became available on April 3, and certified papers are due by Aug. 1.

A preliminary election will narrow the race down on Sept. 16 if a position has more than two candidates, or nine for at-large councilor.

The six-person School Committee so far has only five potential candidates: incumbents Daniel Elias and Sara Hathaway, and newcomers Geoffrey Buerger, Jacob Klein and Sarah Muil.

Tayshialynn M. Chaloux has taken out papers to challenge incumbent clerk Michele Benjamin.  Alexander Blumin took out papers for clerk and withdrew on April 11, but has not withdrawn from potential candidacy for council seats at-large and for Ward 2. 

Incumbent Kenneth Warren is the only person to take out papers for Ward 1. Craig Benoit, Blumin, Cameron Cunningham, Lindsay Locke, and Corey Walker took out papers for Ward 2. Brittany Bandani was elected in 2023 in Ward 2 over Blumin.


Benoit unsuccessfully ran for councilor at large in the last election.

Incumbent Matthew Wrinn is currently the only potential candidate for Ward 3, as well as incumbents James Conant in Ward 4 and Patrick Kavey in Ward 5. Edward Carmel has taken out papers for Ward 6, a race he unsuccessfully ran for in the 2021 election. Dina Lampiasi has been representing Ward 6 since 2020.

Former Ward 7 councilor Anthony Maffuccio is looking to make a return, as he and Katherine Moody took out papers for that seat, currently held by Rhonda Serre.

Incumbents Kathleen Amuso, Alisa Costa, Earl Persip III, and Peter White have taken out papers for at-large seats alongside Blumin, former councilor Karen Kalinowsky, and Lawrence Klein.

In 2023, now Mayor Peter Marchetti and Kalinowksy eschewed re-election for councilor at-large to instead run for mayor; Kalinowski did not make it past the preliminary election.

The city clerk will conduct a drawing for preliminary ballot name locations, if necessary, at City Hall on Aug. 7, and general election ballot name locations on Sept. 25.  Regular updates can be found on Pittsfield Community Television's Election Central page.


Tags: election 2025,   municipal election,   


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Pittsfield Holiday Inn Temporarily Closes

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Holiday Inn & Suites is temporarily shut down, and 101 Restaurant & Bar has closed its doors until further notice. 

The hotel has been closed since Sept. 25, after its last working elevator of three broke down.  The Berkshire Eagle reported that guests were forced to evacuate because an elevator broke down. 

On Wednesday, 101 Restaurant & Bar posted on Facebook that they would close until further notice due to circumstances beyond their control and the closure of the Holiday Inn. 

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We thank you and our staff for your patience. We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we are able," the owners wrote. 

The central downtown, 12-story hotel has nearly 180 guest rooms.  Massachusetts requires public multi-level buildings and facilities to have elevator access. 

The Holiday Inn recently demolished its crumbling parking garage and is replacing it with a smaller one.  The building at 1 West Street was constructed in 1972; it was formerly known as the Crowne Plaza. 

101 Restaurant opened five years ago within the hotel.  It is owned by John and Tucker McNinch, who formerly operated the Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox. 

Signs on the hotel's entrance explain that the doors are temporarily locked.  Anyone with questions is encouraged to call (413) 499-2000. 

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