Norman Rockwell Museum Appoints Chief Philanthropy Officer

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Norman Rockwell Museum has appointed Ellen Spear, currently president and CEO of Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, Mass., as the museum's new chief philanthropy officer.

Spear will officially join Norman Rockwell Museum over the summer, assuming a newly created senior-level position to lead the museum's development efforts at a pivotal time of growth. Spear succeeds chief advancement officer Michelle Clarkin, who joined the development staff of Fordham University in Manhattan.

Norman Rockwell Museum recently announced plans to assess the feasibility of adapting the Old Stockbridge Town Hall as a National Center for Illustration Education and Research. As a member of the museum's strategic leadership team, Spear will lead the museum's overall fundraising efforts, including preparing for a campaign and the museum's 50th anniversary.

"We are delighted to have Ellen Spear's expertise and proven talents join our museum team to champion our path forward in this essential role. Ellen is a highly respected and accomplished leader who brings her nearly three decades of experience to this task and to a museum and community she knows and loves. We welcome her back to the Berkshires," said Laurie Norton Moffatt, director/CEO of Norman Rockwell Museum.

Spear said she is "thrilled" to be joining Norman Rockwell Museum.

"I'm eager to help the museum achieve its exciting goals. Now is a critical time for the institution, as it announces its expansion plans for the new National Center for Illustration Education and Research, advancing historic preservation and adaptive reuse of an important historical building in Stockbridge," she said.

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.