Pittsfield Seeks Volunteers to Ward Off Zebra Mussels

Preventing Infestation

1. Inspect and clean your boat 2. Thoroughly inspect all exposed surfaces on your vessel and trailer 3. Remove all plants and mud from your boat, trailer, and equipment 4. Carefully feel your boat's hull for any rough or gritty spots 5. Drain all water from your hull and dry your boat 6. Keep your watercraft dry for at least one week in hot/dry weather, four weeks if cold/wet Source: City of Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is calling for volunteers to stave off an invasion of zebra mussels into its lakes.

The call to arms came Friday afternoon from Mayor James M. Ruberto, who is urging citizens to volunteer for boat-ramp monitoring at Onota Lake or Pontoosuc Lake.

"We need to do everything that is in our power to keep our lakes and ponds free of this invasive zebra mussel," said Ruberto in a press release. I am reaching out to the community for help. Become a boat-ramp monitor and let's keep Pittsfield zebra free."

Zebra mussels, a freshwater shellfish native Eastern Europe and western Asia, have been proliferating across the Northeast since first being discovered in the Greatl Lakes region two decades ago. They were found in Laurel Lake in Lee — the first documented appearance in a Massachusetts body of water — last week.

Although small — growing to just an inch or two — the mollusks can wreak havoc by blocking pipes, filters and motors, gobble of food resources from native species, and significantly change habitats to the detriment of other species. Their ability to consume algae and nutrients can clarify waters to the extent that sunlight can affect other species, including aiding the growth of another water pest — milfoil.

A female can produce up to a million eggs at a time and the creatures can cluster together by the hundreds of thousands.

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.