Pittsfield Won't Have a Preliminary Election

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Candidates for the November municipal election have been certified and, because of some withdrawals, the city won't have a preliminary election in September. 

On Nov. 4, voters will elect a city clerk, six School Committee members, four at-large city councilors, and seven ward councilors. Certified papers were due on Friday, and there are seven candidates for at-large seats and 10 for seats on the School Committee. 

While it looked like there might be a preliminary election on Sept. 16 to trim the races for councilor at large, Ward 2, and Ward 6, several candidates dropped out, and it is no longer required.

The City Council and School Committee races include returning members and newcomers. City Clerk Michele Benjamin is running unchallenged for re-election. 

Incumbents Kathleen Amuso, Alisa Costa, Earl Persip III, and Peter White are running for another term, and are being challenged by Sara Hathaway, Karen Kalinowsky, and Lawrence Klein. Kalinowsky previously served at term as an at-large councilor and Hathaway, a former mayor, dropped a bid for re-election to the School Committee to run for council. 

Incumbent Kenneth Warren Jr. is the only candidate for Ward 1; Brittany Noto is not seeking a second term in Ward 2, and Cameron Cunningham and Corey Walker are running to fill that seat. 

Incumbent Matthew Wrinn is the only candidate for Ward 3, and incumbent James Conant for Ward 4. In Ward 5, Michael Grady will challenge incumbent Patrick Kavey.

Walter Powell is running against incumbent Dina Lampiasi in Ward 6. Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, who won the seat two years ago, indicated she will not run again. Anthony Maffuccio is running to regain the seat he lost to Serre two years ago against newcomer Katherine Moody. 

With a recent staffing scandal and several big changes ahead in the Pittsfield Public Schools, the School Committee has 10 interested parties to fill the six-seat committee.

Middle School Restructuring Committee members Sarah Muil and Vicky Smith; Carolyn Barry, Ciara Batory, Geoffrey Buerger, incumbent Daniel Elias, Jacob Klein, Heather McNiece, and Katherine Yon are running for School Committee. Both Yon and Smith are former committee members, with Yon spent 12 years on the committee, including as chair, until stepping back in 2021. 
 

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.