Physical Therapy Assistant Joins CHP

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Health Programs has expanded its physical therapy staff in Great Barrington with the addition of Jennifer Valente.

A licensed physical therapist assistant, Valente worked most recently at Berkshire Rehabilitation Skilled Care Center and the Farmington River School. She also works as a tutor and lab assistant in the physical therapist assistant program at Berkshire Community College.

She earned her associate degree in physical therapist assistant at Berkshire Community College, and received clinical training at Baystate Neurological Rehabilitation, Columbia Memorial Rehabilitation and Genesis Rehabilitation at Hillcrest Commons in Pittsfield.

Valente will work with CHP's physical therapy team at the CHP Great Barrington Health Center.

Community Health Programs is a healthcare network based in Great Barrington, Mass., serving more than 32,000 Berkshire region residents with whole-person, comprehensive medical and dental services at multiple practice locations. Through its Family Services program, CHP provides a range of support, parent education and resources to families. CHP accepts most forms of private and public health insurance and offers sliding fee scales for qualifying patients. CHP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

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.