Biz Briefs: Pittsfield Chiropractor Sponsors Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity

Habitat Support

Dr. Kurt Schagen, owner of New Life Chiropractic, has once again chosen Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity to be the recipient of his annual philanthropic campaign. To support Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Schagen will donate all of the proceeds from new patient exams scheduled through his community outreach program.

During community events, as well as part of our Wellness at Work program, all participants have the opportunity to schedule an initial consultation and examination for only $25. All of the money raised is then donated directly to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. In 2017 Dr. Kurt Schagen of New Life Chiropractic donated $2,525 to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and more than $6,000 over the past three years.

In addition, New Life Chiropractic does other community outreach efforts, such as Wellness at Work and Lunch and Learn programs. Contact New Life Chiropractic at 413-443-3577 to support both Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity or host a wellness event or screening.

Welcome, Walgreens

The Rite Aid stores in North Adams and Williamstown becoming a Walgreens.

Some 600 locations, mostly Rite Aid but also some Walgreens, were to be closed. The rebranding of the mostly Northeast stores is expected cost $750 million.

Some changes have already occurred in the local Rite Aids, including a redesign of its layout and the creation of a more prominent pathway to the back pharmacy counter, but it's not clear if that was part of the takeover.

Tax planning for elders

Sweetwood of Williamstown Retirement Community will host a seminar on “Estate, Financial and Tax Planning for Elders and their Families” in the Auditorium of Sweetwood, located at 1611 Cold Spring Road in Williamstown, at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. The seminar is free; those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by contacting Dedee Durham or Cheryl Monson of the Sweetwood Activities Department at 413-458-8371 since space for the event may be limited.

The featured presenters will consist of James R. Loughman, an attorney with the law firm of Donovan, O’Connor & Dodig, LLP, who will talk about basic estate planning documents as well as Medicaid planning for nursing home care; Michael Caslin, a financial advisor with the Edward Jones investment firm, who will talk about financial planning for living in retirement and wealth transfers; and Donna L. Turner, an Enrolled Agent (tax specialist certified and qualified by the IRS) with the CPA firm of Smith Watson and Company, LLP, who will talk about common estate and trust tax considerations faced by elders.

Dalton Elects Incumbents, Write-in for Planning Board

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
09:06PM / Monday, May 11, 2026

The last-minute write-in campaigns for Planning Board resulted in higher than normal write-in votes — 306 — for Monday's election. 

DALTON, Mass. — The unofficial results for the town's annual election indicate that Planning Board registered candidate William Striebel III and write-in candidate Richard Hall have secured the two seats.

 

Some 413 voters cast their ballots at the Senior Center on Monday. There were 82 mail-in ballots.

 

The Planning Board race began with just one candidate for the two available positions, leaving one vacancy initially unfilled, but as Election Day approached, two additional candidates launched write-in campaigns, transforming it into a competitive contest.

 

The Planning Board saw a significant number of write-in votes, totaling 306. Striebel secured 238 votes, Hall 163, and Mary Tresa Devereaux with 133. 

 

Both Hall and Devereaux have been endorsed by the Dalton Clear Air Coalition, of which Hall is a member, and Democratic Town Committee. 

 

Hall decided to run for Planning Board last Monday inspired by the Berkshire Concrete situation wanting to ensure that the company follows the town's zoning bylaws. 

 

"Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I look forward to helping the town. It's a privilege being on the Planning Board," he said.