Berkshire Taconic Names New VP for Finance & Administration

A.J. Pietrantone

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — A.J. Pietrantone has joined the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation as vice president for finance and administration.

In this role, he will serve as the foundation’s chief operating and financial officer and will provide high-level support to its finance and investment committees, which oversee its annual operating budget and $117 million in assets.

"A.J. brings a wealth of relevant experience and proven strategic skills, making him the perfect choice to lead our growing finance, grants and gifts management, and investment operations," said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. "We are a center of philanthropy for our community and for donors who seek a trusted partner to help achieve their charitable goals. A. J. will help us meet our commitments to operational excellence and to inspiring charitable giving to help our communities thrive. We are thrilled to have him join our team."

Pietrantone comes to Berkshire Taconic with 25-plus years of experience as an executive at a broad range of nonprofits. He has held senior finance and administrative positions with organizations focused on the arts, social services, civil rights and the environment, including national nonprofits Environmental Defense Fund and The Human Rights Campaign.

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.