Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church Appoints New Reverend

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield welcomed the Rev. Dr. Nina Ranadive Pooley as the parish's new rector. 
 
She assumes her leadership role this month.
 
The Rev. Dr. Pooley has a BA in Religion and a BA in Psychology from The College of William and Mary and a Master of Education from the University of Virginia. She was formed for ordained ministry at The School of Theology, University of the South and was awarded the M.Div. in 2004. After ordination to the priesthood, she served for two
years as Associate Rector of Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mt., Tenn. 
 
After Good Shepherd, Pooley served as Associate Chaplain at St. Paul's School, in Lutherville, Md. for a year (2006-2007).
 
In 2007 Nina was called to be Rector of St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth, Maine and provided that congregation with 13 years of faithful leadership. During her service in Yarmouth, she began work on a D.Min. at The School of Theology in 2009 and was awarded the degree in 2014.
 
Upon accepting the call of the parish's Search Committee and Vestry, Rev. Pooley wrote:
 
"There are so many reasons I feel St. Stephen's is a good fit for me. But at the top of the list are your commitment to social justice, your active investment in local mission and ministry, and your genuinely inclusive welcome of all of God's people."
 
At the announcement of Rev. Pooley's selection, parish Co-Wardens Tom Dillon and Erin Sullivan shared with the church:
 
"We are excited to have Nina guide us on the next part of our journey as a congregation. She has energy, vision, compassion, and an empathic way of relating to others."
 
Pooley, her husband Ken, adult daughters, Mackenzie and Channing, dog Finn, and a few cats will live in Hinsdale.

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

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.
 
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