Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Names VP/Commercial Loan Officer

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Timothy J. Collins has joined the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank as vice president/commercial loan officer.

Collins brings more than 10 years of industry experience, six years locally at Berkshire Bank and their ownership predecessor Legacy Banks, as assistant vice president and commercial real estate officer. Most recently he worked as senior associate, acquisitions, at High Street Realty Company in Boston, where he was responsible for the oversight and execution of investment underwriting analysis and overall operations for the acquisitions group, including all new debt placement and negotiations.  

Collins grew up in Lee and will be moving back to Berkshire County with his wife Laura, a Pittsfield native, and young son. He earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from the UMass Isenberg School of Management. At UMass, he was a member of the men's basketball team and is currently the analyst for UMass Basketball radio broadcasts.  

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.