Crane Fund Donates to Local Oranizations

01:19PM / Thursday, November 20, 2025Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has donated funding to 92 organizations around the globe, some in Berkshire County.

Crane Currency associates nominated 36 organization, all of which received funding to bolster their services.

These organizations include Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire Workforce Board, South Community Food Pantry, Hinsdale Food Pantry, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Elder Services of Berkshire County, and more.

The nominations from the associates showcases the collaborative spirit of the Dalton community, a commitment that has helped the organizations become better equipped to fulfill its missions, according to a statement from the fund.

"Because of [the fund,] lives are being transformed. [Its] generosity has touched the hearts of the 15,000 people we serve each year — offering hope where there was despair, resources where there was need, and love where there was loneliness. We truly couldn’t do this without [it]," said Katelynn Miner, the founder and executive assistant of the Berkshire Dream Center, as quoted in the press release.

The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has long been a pillar of support for the community, providing essential resources to organizations that make a significant impact on the lives of many, the press release states.

The fund is one Crane Currency's, now CraneNXT, three charitable funds. The other two are the Crane Fund, established in 1914, and Crane Foundation, created in 1951. More information here.

The Crane Fund for Widows and Children makes contributions to charitable non-profit

organizations that provide direct help to underserved populations in the communities where Crane NXT works or where its associates have a direct connection.

Crane NXT has a location in Dalton, which focuses on authentication, security, and detection.

Fund officials say it touches the lives of many through its efforts to support issues around food insecurity, affordable housing, education, health, environmental protection, animal welfare, and many other worthy causes.

Tags: Crane, donations,

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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