Berkshire Humane Society to Hold Pet Food Drive-Thru on Friday

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society will offer free food for dogs and cats to anybody who needs help feeding their pets during a drive-through pet food drive on Friday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

No advance appointment is needed. To participate, enter Berkshire Humane Society's parking lot from the north entrance at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield and drive up to the curb. A Berkshire Humane Society employee in personal protective equipment will take your order and load the food you need. You do not need to leave your car or give your name.

"Because of the generosity of our community and four pallets of food donated by Purina, our pet food is well-stocked and we need to distribute it," said John Perreault, executive director of Berkshire Humane Society. "The COVID-19 pandemic has created financial hardship for many people who have never been in this position before and they may be embarrassed to ask for help. With drive-thru, we can help pet owners feed their pets, no questions asked. 

"If you are quarantined in your home and unable to come to the shelter, please call us at 413-447-7878 and we will arrange to get the food to you."

The Pet Food Bank is one of many programs Berkshire Humane Society offers to help keep pets in their homes and out of the shelter. The shelter is closed to the public, but is handling surrenders and adoptions by appointment.

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.