Pittsfield Suspends Table Service, Reins in Activities as COVID Cases Surge

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has suspended all indoor dining and shifting back the Step 1 of Phase 3 in the state reopening process after a surge in COVID-19 cases. 

Since Oct. 22, there have been 169 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city. These cases have been directly attributed to large get-togethers in restaurants and large private gatherings held in residences and attended by individuals from multiple households.

"We have reached a point of crisis in our city that impacts our entire community. The number of COVID-19 cases have grown exponentially over a very short period of time," said Mayor Linda Tyer said in a statement. "Based on our current case rates and using the state's new calculations to determine risk, Pittsfield has moved into the red category, making us a high-risk community. We need to take aggressive action now to get us back on the right course and reverse this alarming trend."

On Thursday, the Pittsfield's COVID-19 Task Force identified several immediate actions to slow the spread of the virus in the city because of the number of new positive COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in Pittsfield. There are also growing levels of concern for the potential of further community spread. 

Beginning Friday, Nov. 13, the following actions will take effect:

• Today, Thursday Nov. 12, Pittsfield Board of Health issued an emergency order suspending table service at city restaurants until further notice.

• Local eateries will still be allowed to provide take-out and delivery service. Patrons should feel free to utilize the city's temporary "grab-and-go" zones for food pickup, which were installed this past spring throughout the downtown. These designated areas offer free and time limited space to allow for quick customer turnover and social distancing.

• Pittsfield Public Schools will transition to all-remote learning through Friday, Dec. 4.  Current elementary, middle, and high school schedules will be followed.

• Meals will be available tomorrow for children 18 and under. They can be picked up

Conte Community School, 200 W. Union St.
Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank St.
Allendale Elementary School, 180 Connecticut Ave.
Egremont Elementary School, 84 Egremont Ave.

For more information, visit pittsfield.net.

The Board of Health is issuing an emergency order to shift to Step 1 of Phase 3, which means reduced indoor capacity for all venues and closing of fitting rooms. 

• Indoor gatherings at private residences is 10.
• Outdoor gathering limit for private residences is 25 people.
• Indoor gatherings at event venues and other public spaces is 25.
• Now that Pittsfield is high-risk, outdoor gatherings are now reduced to 50.

For more information on sector specific guidance, visit www.mass.gov/reopening.

Municipal buildings will be closed to the general public. Community members can visit the city‘s website, www.cityofpittsfield.org, to manage their business needs.

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.