Big Y Distributing Free N95 Masks

11:43AM / Friday, February 18, 2022Print Story | Email Story

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y will soon offer free N95 masks to communities across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Big Y is actively working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to distribute more than 230,000 high-quality face coverings to shoppers. Masks will be available in all of the markets, Table & Vine and Big Y Express Gas & Convenience locations on Saturday, Feb. 19.

There will be employee-staffed tables set up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to distribute up to three masks to each customer, while supplies last.

In mid-January, the federal government announced an initiative to distribute 400 million N95 face coverings through retailers around the country, intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. Big Y's membership in the Topco buying cooperative's aggregation capabilities are helping to meet the government's requirements. Big Y Foods and other participating Topco members were able to partner to acquire free masks to distribute.

Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Centers have also worked with HHS and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on other COVID-19 support entities, including testing and vaccinations.

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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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