Berkshires Beat: BRTA Makes Summer Route Change

Bus route stopped: The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA)’s Route 7 and Route 3 Shuttle will stop running for the summer beginning on July 1.

These routes currently operate from September through May to coincide with college students returning to campus.  BRTA's regular Route 3 servicing Williamstown to North Adams and Route 1 connecting North Adams to Pittsfield via US Route 8 will continue to operate all year long.

Specific schedule or route information may be obtained by contacting the operations department at 1-800-292-BRTA extension 1.


Closed: The Christian Center will be closed from Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 11.

Donations will not be accepted during this time. If you need help locating programs or services during this time, please dial 211 and you will be assisted.


Playground people: The Pittsfield Department of Community Development Recreation Program is seeking applicants for two playground leader positions for the Summer Playground Program.

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.