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Pittsfield Lights Permanent, Young Christmas Tree

Linda Tyer welcomes the crowd to her last tree lighting as mayor. She leaves office in January. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's permanent Christmas tree was lit for the holidays for the first time on Friday. Though the young tree is currently 9 feet tall, it is expected grow up to 50 feet in time.

"Look at our petite sweet little Christmas tree. I know it's a surprise to all of you to see that we have planted a tree in Park Square instead of our past tradition of having a big tree donated," Mayor Linda Tyer said.

"We really felt strongly that this was the time for us to preserve our natural forests by not cutting down trees and planting a tree here in Park Square that will grow and grow and grow, and I encourage moms and dads and grandparents and caregivers to get a photo with your kids next to this tree every year so you can watch them and the tree grow."

The rain didn't stop the tree-lighting ceremony on Friday. Families gathered with umbrellas around the conifer that was planted in October as they waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive.

"Here comes Santa Claus," Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Maddy Brown said as the Pittsfield High School chorus sang "Winter Wonderland."

The tree was lit before the guests arrived, as the city felt due to its small stature it would be more festive to have it that way. Additionally, the shrubs around the fountain were illuminated.

Last year, the tree lighting ceremony returned in person after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Over the years, it has become harder for the city to locate a tree and transport it for installation.

This type of fir has a silver blue color, is more desirable under urban conditions, and has the least pest problems of many evergreens, Park, Open Space and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath said. It will grow about 10 inches per year and will typically reach 30-50 feet tall and 15-25 feet wide when mature.

Tyer said this is one of her favorite days of the year along with the Fourth of July parade.

As part of the Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic, Otto's Kitchen & Comfort hosted a free Hot Chocolate Bar with all the fixings and pictures with the Grinch and there were a variety of holiday events spanned across the weekend.

Dalton Candidates Debate Infrastructure, Police Station at Candidate Forum

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:08AM / Thursday, January 16, 2025

Nearly 90 residents attended the forum at the Senior Center to hear from the candidates.

DALTON, Mass. — Dalton voters will choose from four candidates at the Feb. 3 special election to decide who will fill the vacant Select Board seat. 

 

The four candidates on the ballot, Robert Collins, Rich Haley, Levi Renderer and Patrick Carsell appeared at a forum Wednesday night to highlight their perspectives on issues including transparency and collaboration, the condition of the police station, and roads and sidewalks.

 

iBerkshires Pittsfield Bureau Chief Brittany Polito asked the candidates questions curated by resident submissions in front of 88 attendees at the Senior Center. The forum was also recorded by Dalton Community Television and is available on iBerkshires' YouTube channel. 

 

The mail-in ballot applications are currently available at the Senior Center, library, and the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall. 

 

The candidates agreed on many of the questions presented to them but split over the composition of town sidewalks.

 

Carsell said it needs to be further discussed and referred to a report by resident Todd Logan, who has advocated for amending the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks over the cheaper asphalt alternative.

 

The Planning Board has established a sidewalk subcommittee to discuss the proposed bylaw further.