3 Certified Mayoral Candidates in Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Friday was the last day to submit nomination papers to the Registrar of Voters. 

So far there are currently three certified mayoral candidates and races in multiple wards.

John Krol has joined the list of certified mayoral candidates and will go up against Peter Marchetti and Karen Kalinowsky in a preliminary election on Sept. 19. The two top vote-getters will move on to the general election on Nov. 7.

Krol is a former city councilor and Marchetti and Kalinowsky are current city councilors.

Craig Gaetani and David Webber had also taken out papers for mayor but were not certified as of Thursday.

Kathleen Amuso has joined the at-large race and has her signatures certified. Amuso is a former two-term councilor and served on the School Committee for 10 years.  

She has stayed involved with local politics serving on the Licensing Board and the School Building Needs Commission.

Other certified at-large candidates include incumbents Earl Persip III and Peter White and newcomers Alisa Costa and Craig Benoit. Lucas Marion and Daniel Miraglia have also taken out papers.

Incumbent Kenneth Warren is unopposed for Ward 1.

Soncere Williams and Alexander Blumin have been certified in Ward 2 and Brittany Bandani had also taken out papers. Incumbent Charles Kronick  said he will not be seeking re-election.

Bill Tyer and Matthew Wrinn have been certified for the Ward 3 race. Miraglia had also taken out papers for the ward.

Incumbent James Conant is currently unopposed in Ward 4 and incumbent Patrick Kavey is currently unopposed in Ward 5. Ocean Sutton had taken out papers for Ward 5 but has yet to be certified.

Incumbent Dina Lampiasi is currently the only certified candidate in Ward 6, with Gaetani and Edward Carmel also taking out papers.

Jonathan Morey and incumbent Anthony Maffuccio are running for Ward 7. Rhonda Serre has also taken out papers for the ward.

There are currently six certified School Committee candidates: William Garrity, incumbent Sara Hathaway, incumbent William Cameron, incumbent Daniel Elias, Dominick Carmen Sacco, and Diana Belair. Stephanie Sabin has also taken out papers for the committee.

Incumbent City Clerk Michele Benjamin is currently running unopposed for the position.

The last day for candidates to withdraw is Aug. 8 and a ballot placement drawing will take place Aug. 10 for a preliminary election on Sept. 19. At this point, a preliminary election is expected for the mayoral race; should third candidates be certified in Wards 2, 3, 6 and 7, those will also appear on the preliminary ballot. 

Candidate list as of Thursday (*indicates certified candidate)

MAYOR

Peter M Marchetti*
John Michael Krol Jr.*
Craig C Gaetani
Karen M Kalinowsky*
David Donald Webber

CITY CLERK

Michele Marie Benjamin*

AT LARGE

Earl George Persip III*
Peter T White*
Alisa L Costa*
Craig Benoit*
Lucas Marion
Daniel T Miraglia
Kathleen Archey Amuso*

Pittsfield Takes 'Big Step' With Supportive Housing

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:49PM / Tuesday, December 03, 2024

Housing Secretary Ed Augustus says supportive services are critical to moving people into permanent housing. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Those experiencing homelessness often need more than four walls and a roof.  

On Tuesday, Hearthway Inc. hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for 37 new units of supportive housing, 28 on vacant land on West Housatonic Street and nine at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street.

"Today is a good day. It's a day we celebrate our community's commitment and responsibility to our neighbors, especially those who are unhoused, living in shelter, or outside," President and CEO Eileen Peltier said.

"Today, Pittsfield is taking a big step toward our responsibility to make our community stronger for all of us."

The approximately $16 million project offers tenants a variety of services from partner organizations such as The Brien Center and ServiceNet. It also includes a 6,500-square-foot housing resource center in the church's basement, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, with bathrooms, showers, laundry, offices for service providers to meet with clients, and more.

"We know that providing four walls and a roof is often not enough to ensure individuals are safely and continuously housed," Peltier said.

"Permanent supportive housing like these homes is the best way to ensure individuals thrive."

Hearthway, formerly Berkshire Housing Development Corp., is developing the units on donated land on West Housatonic and at Zion Lutheran Church through a lease agreement. The church will remain open during construction. 

The Rev. Joel Bergeland explained that the Zion community is bound by a commitment to treat each neighbor with reverence and see them as "gifts sent from God." While others may not share that faith, he pointed out that they are bound by a charge to seek the welfare of the community.