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Firefighter Nicholas Teti, left, Fire Chief Thomas Sammons, firefighter Craig Eggleston and Fire Capt. Matthew Packard after a presentation of certificates at the City Council meeting.
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Police Officer Shaun Courtney poses for a photo.

Pittsfield First-Responders Recognized for Lifesaving Efforts on Infant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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Chief Thomas Sammons congratulates one of the EMTs who responded to the emergency involving an infant last fall. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Multiple first responders were recognized for performing lifesaving measures on an infant in November.

Tuesday's City Council meeting began with Lifesaving Awards to three paramedics, three firefighters, and four police officers. The first responders were recognized for their actions on Nov. 22 "where life-saving measures were performed on an infant."

While not much information can be released, Fire Chief Thomas Sammons said the incident was "one of those calls people will never forget." 

He described it as a "low frequency, high stress" incident and that everybody who responded gave it their all and did a fantastic job.

"The outcomes are the outcomes but when people work that hard together, it should be recognized," he said.

Awards were given to paramedics Joseph Carpenter, Matt Williams and Haley Duffy; fire Capt. Matthew Packard, Firefighters Craig Eggleston and Nicholas Teti; Police Officers Robert Horne, James Sena and Shaun Courtney, and Police Sgt. Ryan Williams.



City staff, family, and friends applauded each first responder in Council Chambers.

Sammons said this kind of call puts everybody to the test.

"Captain Packard of the Fire Department sent me a letter the next day after the call explaining the call, what happened, and that the way that everybody worked together, he felt needed recognition," the chief said, adding that he absolutely agreed.

 


Tags: first responders,   recognition event,   

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Dalton Mail-In Ballot Instructions Had Date Error

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — b
 
The ballots had printed instructions to have them returned to the town by Nov. 5, 2024, information left behind from the general election in November. 
 
The special election to decide who will fill the vacant Select Board seat will occur on Feb. 3. 
In December, the board also approved mail-in ballots. 
 
Select Board member Marc Strout took to his Select Board Facebook page to inform constituents of the error and provide an update. 
 
He explained that Chair Robert Bishop, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson, and Town Clerk Heather Hunt had been notified, and the situation had been referred to the town attorney.
 
"It is the Town Clerk, which is an elected position, responsibility to make sure all information is correct so that we can have a proper election ... I will advise when I have more information. I am extremely frustrated at this developing situation," he wrote on the page. 
 
As soon she found out about the situation on Saturday, Hunt and her assistant Patty Mele-Nichols went to the Town Hall to rectify the situation. 
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