Great Barrington Farmers Market to Reopen With Restrictions

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Great Barrington Farmers Market will open for its 30th season on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Church Street location in downtown Great Barrington. 

Berkshire United Way has awarded the market a grant allowing the continuation of the Market Match program. This program offers a dollar- for-dollar match on all SNAP, WIC Farmers Market Check, and Senior Farmers Market Check purchase up to $25 per customer per week. HIP benefits can be redeemed at five market vendors. 

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the market managers have taken into consideration recommendations and policies from local, state, and federal governments, as well as guidance from Mass Farmers Markets and The Farmers Market Coalition.

Restrictions are as follows:

• To reduce browsing orders should be placed ahead of time whenever possible. A full list of participating vendors and links to their pre-order pages can be found on the website.

• A special shopping hour for senior and high-risk Immunocompromised people will be available from 9  to 10 a.m. 

• All shoppers are asked to wear masks.

• There will be no eating or drinking at the market

• Dogs will not be permitted at the market

• There will be no public bathrooms, seating areas, or live music

• Shoppers are encouraged to use minimal cash 

• There will be only one entrance to the market and the number of customers allowed in will be limited.

• Please only send one member of your household to the market whenever possible 

• Please make safe health choices. Do not come to the market if you are sick or have been sick in the last 14 days.

Others farmers markets will be operating in different ways across Berkshire County:

• The Pittfsfield Farmers Market is operating a virtual market and taking weekly orders for delivery. Information here.

• The Wiliamstown Farmers Market has developed an eCommerce platform to connect shoppers with farmers and food vendors. WFM-E! will offer contact-free ordering and payment, a central pickup location, and delivery for those who are unable access transportation. Information here.

• The North Adams Farmers market is also taking online orders for delivery and pickup. Information here.

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.