Boston Magazine Honors Steven Valenti and Barrington Stage

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Boston Magazine has recognized a longtime business staple in the city of Pittsfield, along with the city's Tony Award-winning playhouse in its annual "Best of Boston" list.

For the first time, the magazine devoted a section of the list to the Berkshires and gave a nod to Steven Valenti Clothing for Men in downtown Pittsfield as the region's best men's clothing store.

The magazine raves, "So many stores have forsaken good, old-fashioned service for the ubiquitous bottom line. But integrity still means something at this North Street shop."

In addition, Boston Magazine lauded Barrington Stage Company, which will soon call Pittsfield's Berkshire Music Hall its permanent home. The magazine rated BSC as the region's best alternative theater, saying: "Once in a blue moon, a regional theater becomes a Broadway darling. That time is now for the Barrington Stage Company, whose '25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' scored not one but two Tony Awards this year, including best actor for the company's own Dan Fogler."

Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto congratulated Valenti and the Barrington Stage for the recognition in the "Best of Boston 2005" in the August issue of Boston Magazine.

"It's fantastic to see attention being paid to some of the people who are making Pittsfield a great place to live and work," said Ruberto. "It's just another sign that the rest of the world is beginning to see all that this city has to offer."

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.