Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Welcomes New Managing Director

Staff Reports 04:10PM / Thursday, March 24, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) officially named Rebecca Brien as thier new managing director

Brien has taken over the role vacated by Cheryl Mirer in February of 2022. Brien will work with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.'s Board of Directors to tackle strategic areas including public safety, quality of life, increasing foot traffic and decreasing vacant storefronts, and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.

"On behalf of the DPI Board of Directors, we are excited to welcome Rebecca as our new Managing Director," said Branden Huldeen, DPI's board president. "Rebecca is joining Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at an exciting time as we are starting many new initiatives that will have a transformative impact on our downtown. Rebecca's years of experience coupled with her passion and knowledge of Pittsfield will drive the organization forward."

Brien, most recently the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsfield, brings a combined professional background in business, sales, and hospitality, to her new role as Managing Director of DPI. Her career in the hospitality field included positions at Cranwell Resort and Canyon Ranch, and in the business sector, Brien worked for Country Curtains and KB Toys, managing inventory, analyzing sales, and maximizing revenue.

A native of Richmond, Brien attended local schools and studied Hotel Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts at Berkshire Community College. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband, David, and their four rescue dogs. Brien spends her spare time quilting, gardening, and volunteering for organizations such as the Thanksgiving Baking Angels and EforAll. She sits on the boards of the Pediatric Development Center and the Pittsfield Parade Committee and is a member of the Berkshire Business & Professional Women's group and a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program (‘19).

"I fully believe that Downtown Pittsfield is prime to become the thriving center of all that this city and the Berkshires have to offer," said Brien. "With the support of the Board, a strong membership core, new funding, and collaboration with our local officials, I am ready to make great things happen and I am excited to be part of the DPI team."

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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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