Letter: Help Dad Quit Smoking for a Happy Father's Day

To the Editor:

Are you looking for an original, meaningful, and inexpensive Father's Day gift? If your dad smokes, show him your love by supporting him in quitting smoking. Quitting can take many tries and he doesn't have to do it alone!

If your father is thinking about quitting, start by telling him about the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline. By calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), he can get free and confidential coaching 24 hours a day, as often as he wants.

Let your dad know you'll stand by him for as long as it takes. Even if he has tried to quit before, encourage him to keep trying – a smoker attempts to quit an average of seven times before quitting for good. Remind him that smokers who get support and use medicines are nearly three times as likely to quit for good.

Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things your dad will ever do. Tell your dad not to get discouraged. If he slips up, let him know you're there for him when he’s ready to try again, no matter how many times he tries to quit.
To learn more about how you can help, visit KeepTryingMA.org.

Joyce Brewer
Brewer is coordinator of Berkshire AHEC's Tobacco-Free Community Partnership

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.