1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2019

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fourteen students from across the Berkshires graduated from 1Berkshire's Youth Leadership Program on Tuesday, May 7. Having completed the entirety of this 10-month leadership program, the students shared the product of their collective impact project with attending family, friends, and regional leaders, and were recognized for their program completion.

For their collective impact project, the Class of 2019 chose to conduct a sustainability fair in coordination with the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market. Through their project, they engaged more than 60 people and helped educate them about ways to be more environmentally sustainable in their own lives. Additionally, the students conducted an year long fundraiser series, and during their graduation ceremony, they provided a check to Berkshire Children and Families in the sum of $338 to help support the meaningful work of their organization.

Students shared their own feelings about their experience in the program during their project presentation, 2019 graduate Elena Crane Cuerda noted that participation in the the program "has opened my eyes to many of the opportunities the Berkshires hold." This sentiment was a consistent theme in the remarks made by the students.

The Youth Leadership Program Class of 2019 is the ninth class in the program’s history. The participants are:  Adam Boscarino of Monument Mountain Regional High School; Alex Morin of Mount Greylock Regional High School; Aliyah Heideman of Pittsfield High School; Allison Henderson of Pittsfield High School; Alyssa Anderson of BART Charter School; Annabell Allessio of Wahconah Regional High School; Avery Price of Wahconah Regional High School; Catherine Boino of Wahconah Regional High School; Elena Crane Cuerda of Lenox Memorial High School; Emelyn Theriault of Pittsfield High School; Gwyn Smith of Pittsfield High School; JT Novitsky of Lenox Memorial High School; Madison Tatro of Drury High School; and Szofia Lewis of Pittsfield High School.

"These students are the future of the Berkshires, and beyond, and we are excited to see what that future looks like," Program Director Ben Lamb said.

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.