“Only cost to town was a Pizza Party” – Noel Edgren
Berkley’s election fiasco has now produced a final price tag: $6,121.28
The costs for the recount of the 2026 Board of Selectmen election are in and you are all going to want to take a seat. No, they didn’t go to Smitty’s, Grove St. Tavern, or Papa Gino’s. They didn’t truck in a special order from Little Caesars either. No celebrity chefs were involved. But somehow what was billed as a little pizza party by several vocal supporters of the recount has turned into a total cost of $6,121.28. That, my friends, buys a LOT of pepperoni cups and hot honey drizzle.
That number shouldn’t be placed on just one person though. The election errors that caused the recount deserve a closer look. The public claims that the recount would cost only a bit more than pizza also need examination. The decision to pursue the recount, despite those claims, deserves scrutiny too. Accountability means holding everyone responsible for their role, not just the people we disagree with or may dislike.
One thing is certain…this turned out to be one incredibly expensive pizza party.
Before we break down the actual expenses, it’s worth revisiting what many residents were told when concerns were raised about the potential cost of the recount. Let’s look at what some of the loudest voices pushing for a recount on social media were trying to convince people of as the costs were being discussed.
First up is a familiar name to anyone who follows Berkley’s online political drama. Social media darling Noel Edgren once again took to Facebook to assure residents that the recount would cost little more than, yup you guessed it…..a pizza party.
Something leads us to suspect that Noel may not be the bigger person in acknowledging this among her frequently hurled errors, insults, and other hinderances. But time heals and people change so you never know. Point being – don’t believe everything you read on social media as 99% of time the people hiding behind their keyboards have NO idea what they are talking about.
To borrow the words of local political pundit David McElroy, “That comment didn’t age particularly well.” No Sir. It did not.
Next is what we believe to be a post from former Town Official Wendy Cochrane’s secondary accounts. That account was previously discussed in our article, Berkley Special Townie Unit, which details how the connection was uncovered.
It appears that if this is her account, Ms. Cochrane owes Ms. LaCivita and Ms. Kulibaba apologies for defaming and demeaning them in public with false information. Hopefully they get a gracious note acknowledging the error that has been signed by the author, instead of some of the correspondence filled with menacing language that Ms. Cochrane is alleged to have left behind for officials in their Town Hall mailboxes in past. Stay tuned for an upcoming article, where we’ll present the documented evidence surrounding the alleged harassment and let the facts speak for themselves.
The final tab for Berkley’s most expensive pizza party? $6121.28
That’s a lot of marinara. Let’s break it down:
Holy Mozzarella…
With more than $6,100 now spent on the recount and the soft cost of public mistrust still climbing by the day, the political fallout of the election remains still unresolved. And taxpayers deserve to ask what they received in return. Questions remain regarding how challenged ballots were evaluated during the recount, particularly because one candidate was no longer participating in the challenge process. Residents deserve a clear explanation of how those decisions were made. Did they cook the books in Berkley and slide Longton into a chair? Despite multiple meetings and explanations, many have expressed doubt that they can trust the result.
Since taking office Robert Longton has maintained a very low public profile. Residents can judge for themselves whether his meeting participation and preparation have met the expectations they had when they voted. Here is what we have seen.
- He didn’t speak at town meeting. While some may argue that is because he was just elected – new officials are always elected in May right before Town meeting. This should have been business as usual for Longton.
- He has barely spoken at public meetings and more recently refused to answer any questions after being evasive in answering questions. June 29th Board of Selectmen Wrapup. Vincent MIA. Selectman Longton on Life Support – Refuses to Answer Questions.
- Among the most concerning exchanges at the June 29th BOS meeting, Longton was asked a specific question about something he said during the June 17th meeting. He claimed not to remember the substance of the conversation without being able to review the typed meeting minutes first.
- Also at the June 29th meeting, Longton refused to answer or acknowledge whether he had read the Department of Revenue’s 2025 local management review for Berkley. That review has been a critical guide for improving Town operations and a regular discussion topic in Board of Selectmen meetings for over a year.
- Even if those questions came from what some would call his opponent, former Antifa(c. 1945) backed Selectman Mark Horsfall, that’s the job folks. The Selectwomen answer every question put before them without hesitation, highlighting preparation and mastery of the subject matter routinely. No one votes for a Selectman who evades questions. Is this Longton’s version of the transparency that voters were sold on?
- Popular consumer technology appears to be a hurdle, as Longton didn’t know how to appear in person for a zoom call by enabling his camera. Most of this work occurs on the web now with email, cloud applications and shared storage drives. Can Longton keep up with current technology in order to fulfill the role?
- He is nowhere on social media…where is the transparency? How do you get ahold of Longton especially if he refuses to answer questions in a public meeting? His government email address isn’t even linked on the Town’s website. Is that just a clerical error? Is there another reason for him to be made inaccessible to the public?
You, the taxpayers of a small town facing difficult financial decisions—including the potential furlough of teachers and police officers—are paying for Bob Longton, and from what we have seen so far is cut from the same cloth as the “big, strong men” who came before him, to hold onto power on that Board. You are paying for Longton and a cadre of somewhat less than sincere supporters to exercise their egos on your dime just as they have done for decades in Berkley.
As we continue to ask questions and debate, Berkley taxpayers deserve better from all those involved.
Receipts after the Reverend Jones. And as always there is more to come.
Smarten up Berkley
The Berkley Crime Report has accumulated its fair share of information on Berkley’s political establishment, but there’s always more to uncover. If you have documents, tips, or information you believe the public should know, send them to editor@berkleycrimereport.com. Confidentiality, and your anonymity, if requested, will be respected.
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