Pittsfield Sees Certified Candidates, Ward Races

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 2023 municipal election is heating up with multiple certified candidates and a returning face in Ward 2.

Current Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick has taken out papers for re-election and Hot Dog Ranch owner Craig Benoit has withdrawn his papers to run in that ward. Benoit is now only running for an at-large seat and his signatures have been certified.

Kronick secured the seat for Ward 2 in 2021 and is vocal in the Council Chambers, often disagreeing with his colleagues when voting on items. He strongly believes in saving taxpayer money through the city budget.

Kronick caused a stir during last year's budget season, first in his opposition to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and then with a charter objection to the fiscal year 2023 budget.

There is also a new face on the candidate list, Jonathan Morey. Morey has taken out papers for Ward 7 against incumbent Councilor Anthony Maffuccio and for an at-large seat.

According to Facebook, he is the executive pastry chef of Baked Pastries & More in Pittsfield.

As of late last week, seven of the 26 people who took out papers have had their signatures certified and returned to the city clerk's office: mayoral candidate Peter Marchetti, incumbent City Clerk Michele Benjamin, incumbent Councilor at Large Peter White, Benoit, Ward 3 candidate Bill Tyer, Ward 3 candidate Matthew Wrinn, and incumbent Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey.

There are six interested candidates for at-large seats, three in Ward 3, and two each in Wards 5, 6 and 7.

Only four candidates have taken out papers for School Committee, which elects six seats this November.  

Former student representative William Garrity is the only non-incumbent on the list. Garrity was Taconic High School's 2022 valedictorian and has kept up on city politics since graduating.

Marchetti, the current council president, and John Krol, a former councilor, are running for a four-year term as mayor. Incumbent Linda Tyer is not running for a third term. 

Marchetti touts his long experience on the council, a 35-year career at the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, and his presence in the community as culminating factors to being a successful city leader. Krol points to his experience in broadcast and print media, working for former Mayor James Ruberto, and time on the council as tools to make Pittsfield the best that it can be.

The two have taken out papers along with resident Craig Gaetani, who ran for mayor in 2015 and garnered 0.51 percent of the vote. He also took out papers to run against two-term Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampaisi, who has also taken out papers.

Gaetani is a former marketing director of Krofta Engineering and is a regular at City Council's open microphone.

The last day to submit nomination papers to the Registrar of Voters for certification is July 21 and the last day to submit papers to the city clerk is Aug. 4. A preliminary election, if needed, is scheduled for Sept. 19 and the general election is on Nov. 7.

More information about the other candidates.

Candidate list as of 5/12

MAYOR

Peter Marchetti
John Krol Jr.
Craig Gaetani

CITY CLERK

Michele Benjamin

AT LARGE

Earl Persip III
Peter White
Alisa Costa

Pittsfield Marks Vietnam Veterans Day in Park Square

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:34PM / Monday, March 30, 2026

Pittsfield has a memorial to the Vietnam War honoring those who fought and those who died, including 27 from Berkshire County. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — About 50 people gathered at Park Square on Saturday to remember Vietnam veterans and mark the 53rd anniversary of the last American troops' departure. 

Vietnam veteran Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra thanked everyone for coming out on the chilly March morning. Twenty-seven Berkshire County residents were killed in action, and their names are memorialized in a Park Square marker. 

"We thank all who selfishly served and sacrificed. You are not forgotten," Vaspra said. 

"This provides us an opportunity to pay special tribute to the many Americans who served in the Vietnam War, both in country and out of country, to the 58,318 names inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and to those who never received the recognition they deserve. It is time to say thank you and honor all Vietnam veterans."

National Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans and their families, and is part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home more than 50 years ago.

"When Vietnam veterans returned from Vietnam, there were no tributes, recognition, speeches, parades, or even handshakes. For many of them, it was a horrific return home, and it was also a very chaotic time. Many veterans to this day remain silent from their combat and traumatic encounters," Vaspra said. 

"It is time now to pay tribute to all veterans from all wars and conflicts, our brothers and sisters that served on behalf of our country. We must continue to remember what all veterans did for this country. They gave their lives, whether they died in battle or came home and died later, they paid the ultimate price, the memories our brothers and sisters must go on and always remain in our hearts."

The year 2026 marks 51 years since the official end of the Vietnam War in May 1975, and is the 53rd anniversary of the last American troops departing Vietnam in March 1973. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designated March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.