WMECO and Berkshire Chamber Host Powering Your Business: An Energy Forum

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) and the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will host Powering Your Business: An Energy Forum on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.

Registration and refreshments will be available in the lobby of the Theatre beginning at 8:00AM and the program will commence at 8:30 AM. 

This event is free for all attendees.
 
At this informational, business-focused forum, attendees will have an opportunity to hear first-hand about pricing predictions for 2010, energy efficiency programs, and latest details on the Green Communities Act. Additionally, all attendees will be automatically entered into a drawing to win one of three gift certificates to Berkshire-based businesses.
 
To register for this forum, call Denisha Patel at (413) 787-9463, email patelda@nu.com, or visit www.berkshirechamber.com.
 
About Western Massachusetts Electric Company
Western Massachusetts Electric Company, part of the Northeast Utilities System, serves approximately 200,000 customers in 59 communities throughout western Massachusetts and is committed to the environment, economic development and the health of the communities it serves. For more information about WMECO, visit their Web site at www.wmeco.com.

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.