CHP to Assume Management of BMC’s Dental Clinic

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community Health Programs will assume sponsorship and operation of Berkshire Medical Center’s Dental Clinic, following the awarding of a $350,000 federal grant to CHP.

This collaboration between CHP and BHS will help provide improved access to essential healthcare services in the Berkshire community. CHP will assume the operation of the Dental Clinic, located at 510 North St., by Oct. 14, 2016.

The CHP Dental Clinic will provide expanded dental care services to more patients in the community; currently, the clinic provides care for nearly 5,000 patients per year. CHP will work to recruit new dentists, and the clinic will continue to utilize the expertise of the BMC Dental Residency program, which helps to staff the clinic. The residency is accredited by the American Dental Association and provides advanced education in oral healthcare.

Community Health Programs will upgrade and expand the dental clinic to meet requirements of the grant, and will integrate dental operations with the existing CHP primary care practice there, CHP-Neighborhood Health Center.

This is the latest collaboration between CHP and BHS, all with the goal of providing expanded access to healthcare services. In December, CHP assumed operation of the former Adams Internists and Northern Berkshire Family Medicine, giving the federally qualified health center’s network a presence in northern Berkshire County. Previously, the former BMC Neighborhood Health Center in Pittsfield was transitioned to a CHP federally qualified health center. The latest federal grant was awarded by the Health Resources Services Administration, which provides about 20 percent of CHP’s funding.

“Berkshire Health Systems is pleased to continue our collaborative relationship with Community Health Programs as we work together to provide enhanced care services to all who live and work in the Berkshires,” said David Phelps, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. “CHP and BHS continue to invest in these essential health services to provide greater access to care, right here in the Berkshires.”

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.