Clarksburg Postpones Gravel Crusher Application

The board on Wednesday tabled a stone-crusher permit until November after it was learned the gravel pit's license may have lapsed.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials delayed action on a controversial stone crusher when it was learned a local gravel pit may no longer be permitted.

Michael Milazzo had approached the Board of Selectmen about allowing the crusher to operate at his gravel pit at the top of Wheeler Avenue and Easy Street.

He had planned to surround the crusher with berms to reduce noise and limit its operations; he also had asked to open the gravel pit an hour earlier.

The board became aware that Milazzo had not renewed his two-year permit in 2012 after several citizens searched the 2012 minutes.

"There's going to be much discussion into this," said Selectman William Schrade Jr. on Wednesday. "What I'm seeing on paper is your permit has lapsed. This is a gray area here. It needs to be clarified on our end."

Residents in the general area of the gravel pit, including just over the border in North Adams, had indicated opposition to the crusher. About half-dozen attended Wednesday's meeting.

The board tabled the permit application at Milazzo's request until his attorney could review the situation.

"This has been a gravel pit since the 1960s, before your zoning was in place," said Milazzo.

While the matter was tabled to Nov. 12, the board was still planning to go on a site visit Thursday morning to a gravel operation in Dalton to get a idea of the noise levels.

The board also heard noise complaints about motorcycles taking off from the former Cross Road Variety Store on Cross Road. The building was sold to Arthur and Lisa Thibert in March after a plans to reopen the store fell through.

Thibert is a member of the Reservoir Dogs motorcycle club that had wanted to lease the Homestead bar in North Adams as a clubhouse, but the building was sold.

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.