image description — Hilltop Orchards is back making cider doughnuts after a fire damaged the orchard's store at Christmas.

Hilltop Orchards Reopens Store Damaged in Christmas Fire

10:15AM / Sunday, January 09, 2022Print Story | Email Story

RICHMOND, Mass. — Hilltop Orchards has reopened this weekend after a Christmas morning fire caused smoke and fire damage the its store.

David Martell, farm manager and master wine/cider maker, said the orchard faced uncertainty after the fire.

However, he said, with hard work, dedicated deep cleaning, and a retail inspection by the Massachusetts Department of Health, store is once more offering freshly made cider doughnuts and other products such as wines and Johnny Mash/JMASH Ciders.

"The Christmas day fire was tough but we know it could have been much worse," Martell said in a statement announcing the reopening. "We feel fortunate for so much: that our dog, Benjamin, barked and woke us up, that the Richmond Fire department and others responded quickly and put the fire out in 10 minutes, that no one was hurt, and that our staff and community have been so supportive."

Hilltop's farm building suffered damage because of a tractor's malfunctioning engine block heater. The farm building, production room, and retail space suffered heavy smoke damage.

Staff, and the Vittori family, owners of Hilltop Orchards, said they are grateful to Richmond, Lenox and other local fire departments for their quick response that resulted in limited damage.

Hilltop Orchards is once again open seven days a week, 9 to 5 p.m.

Tags: reopening,

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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.

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