Annual Bateman Fishing Derby Set June 7

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 22nd annual Harry A. Bateman Memorial Jimmy Fund Fishing Derby takes place Saturday, June 7, at the Frank Controy Pavilion at Onota Lake in Pittsfield from 6 to noon.

This is a free fishing weekend in Massachusetts and no fishing license is required.

The fishing derby is open to the public and its purpose is to raise money for the Jimmy Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute For Children. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Harry A. Bateman, a former member of Central Berkshire Bowman & IUE Local 255, who was well-known throughout Berkshire County and who became a victim of cancer in 1992.

Fifteen trophies and prizes will be given away to the winners of the fishing derby: eight trophies for children, four trophies for adults, and three that can be won by adults or children. There will be a special category for those fishing with a bow and arrow, prizes for heaviest trout, sportsman awards, chances for children to win a mountain bike.

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.