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Pittsfield UNICO Chapter Awards Scholarships

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Chapter of UNICO held their scholarship awards ceremony at the Italian American Club in June inin conjunction with the Paul J. Capitanio Jr. Memorial Football Scholarship award ceremony.

Since 1987 the Pittsfield UNICO chapter has given out over $285,000 in scholarships throughout Berkshire County. The ceremony was the culmination of the chapter’s fundraising efforts throughout the year which included a wine tasting, a golf tournament and other events.

The UNICO Scholarship Committee, chaired by Julie Salatino, awarded 16 scholarships totaling $15,000 dollars. The Paul J. Capitanio Jr. Memorial Football Scholarship committee, chaired by past UNICO president Paul Capitanio Sr., awarded five scholarships at $1,000 each.

The Paul J. Capitanio Jr. Memorial Football Scholarship Committee has awarded $35,000 in scholarships over the past twelve years and has raised funds through its annual golf tournament and other donations.

The Pittsfield UNICO recipients are:

* Allison Hunt, Baseball Hall of Fame Scholarship: Allison is a Pittsfield High School graduate and is the daughter of James and Cheryl Hunt. Allison will be attending RPI.

* Morgan DeGrenier, Baseball Hall of Fame Scholarship: Morgan is a Mount Everett High School graduate and is the daughter of Curt and Gina DeGrenier. Morgan will be attending The Albany College of Pharmacy.

* Mya Wiles, Rudolph Sondrini Scholarship: Mya is a Taconic High School graduate and is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Wiles. Mya will be attending Unity College..

* Alexander Consolati, Joseph Colombari Scholarship: Alexander is a Lee High School graduate and is the son Jeff and Katherine Consolati. Alexander will be attending Syracuse University.

* Jacey Salvie, Honorable Anthony J. Ruberto Scholarship: Jacey is a Pittsfield High School graduate and is the daughter of James and Nicole Salvie. Jacey will be attending Framingham State College.

* Hannah Ciepela, George Cavallero Scholarship: Hannah is a Wahconah High School graduate and is the daughter of John and Kellie Ciepela. Hannah will be attending Westfield State University.

* Brianna Roy, Wayne Montagna Scholarship: Brianna is a Pittsfield High School graduate and is the daughter of Jeffrey and Trina Roy. Brianna will be attending the University of Rochester.

* Alexis Huxtable, John Marchetto Scholarship: Alexis is a Taconic High School graduate and is the daughter of Andres and Cheryl Huxtable. Alexis will be attending Springfield College.

The Paul J. Capitanio Jr. Memorial Football Scholarship recipients are:

* Dalton Peck: Dalton is a Wahconah Regional High School graduate and is the son of Eric and Jennifer Taylor. Dalton will be attending Springfield College.

* Will and Wyatt Burnette: Will and Wyatt are Wahconah Regional High School graduates and are the sons of Jerry and Tricia Burnette.  Will and Wyatt will be attending Hudson Valley Community College.

* Cody Ciepela: Cody is a Wahconah Regional High School graduate and is the son of John and Kelly Ciepela. Cody will be attending Berkshire Community College.

* Shane Cronin: Shane is a Pittsfield High School graduate and is the son of Phillip and Sandy Cronin. Shane will be attending Western New England University.

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.