Allendale Pines Completes Capital Improvements, Expands

New paving in the park is hidden under a layer of snow but enhancements also included an expansion on the north end for more homes. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than a year after the Mobile Home Rent Control Board approved a rate increase for Allendale Pines, promised improvements have been made and the trailer park has expanded.

Board members received an update on the repairs Monday from Brent White of White Engineering in Pittsfield.

White said D.R. Billings Inc. was hired soon after the rent increase was approved to replace the water and sewer lines throughout the park and repave its existing road system.

He showed the board a drone video of the improvements, displaying restored lawns and paved roads.

"A picture is worth 1,000 words," White said. "And I think this just goes to show that everything that we had committed to when the rent increase was requested and granted has been followed through on."

Board member Alisa Costa said she was pleased with the presentation.

"I do think it looks great, you have fulfilled all the requirements," she said. "I really appreciate that, I love that we now have drones and we got that great bird's eye view."

The three-phase rent increase of $120 was OK'd back in October 2020 to facilitate the capital improvements to the community. This included repaving the roads, reconstructing the water system, and repairing the sewer lines.

The increases started at $50 in the first year and second years and $20 in the third year to raise the lot rent from $220 in 2020 to $340 in 2023. The first increase occurred in April.

Only $68 of the $120 would be a permanent increase and the other $52 would expire at the end of 20 years. The $68 increase would match the projected rate of investment. It would only support the operating expenses of the park and does not include any amortization, owners said.

Along with the completion of capital improvements, the park added 10 new homes to its stock. This was allowed by a special permit that was obtained over the summer.

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.