Pittsfield Mayor Offers Police Chief Position to Unnamed Candidate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A candidate has been offered the police chief position, and their name will be announced at an upcoming press conference. 

On Thursday, Mayor Peter Marchetti's office confirmed that an offer has been made for Thomas Dawley's successor.  The person has not been named, nor the date of the press conference. 

iBerkshires.com will provide coverage on that day. 

"The Mayor has made an offer to a candidate and that name will be released at an upcoming press conference," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine VanBramer wrote via email. 


The mayor's office was unable to provide details about the chief's salary at this point, because they are working to finalize a contract, VanBramer said. 

Police Chief Thomas Dawley announced his intent to retire late last year after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department. He was appointed the interim police chief in June 2023 and permanent chief a year later. 

Marchetti was charged with appointing the new chief, and Capt. Marc Strout has led the department in the interim.  

In the fall, he requested that a Civil Service assessment be conducted for a new chief, and two candidates took the test. 

The two candidates who took the police chief exam in December were Lt. Marc Maddalena and Capt. John Murphy.


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Thistle 'N Thorn Floral Announces Closing

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Another North Street business has announced their sudden closure.

Thistle 'N Thorn Floral announced on Instagram that its doors will close. 

"What many people don't see behind a creative business is how much it grows, shifts, and eventually asks more of you than one person can realistically carry. Between the rising costs of flowers, increasing rent, and the sheer volume of work, the business has become almost too successful for one person to sustain alone."

Owner Ashley Davidson opened the shop at 393 North St. a couple years ago and was selling flowers long before that according to her social media history.

Thistle 'N Thorn sold floral arrangements for events like weddings, funerals, and more. She also sold gifts, bouquets and wreaths according to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Davidson also hosted events and workshops for those to create their own arrangements. 

"While this chapter is closing, I want to be very clear about something. This is not the end for me," Davidson wrote on Instagram.

"I'm incredibly proud of what I built. It took vision, grit, creativity, and a lot of courage. Those things don’t disappear just because a business chapter ends. If anything, they’re the reason I’m confident stepping into whatever comes next."

She also said she will be honoring the weddings and events she has already scheduled and plans to offer more workshops.

 
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