Former Starbase Technologies Building Eyed for Cannabis Cultivation

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cannabis cultivator Berkshire Kind is looking to put a grow facility in the former Starbase Technologies facility at the corner of Peck's and Valentine Roads.

The Community Development Board on Tuesday approved a site plan application for the adaptive re-use of the existing 37,700 square foot building with about 25,000 square feet of cultivation space.

It was approved with conditions related to odor management and a requirement of downward casting lights.

"Basically they're looking to repurpose that existing building for cannabis cultivation so no retail sales on site, just cultivation," civil engineer Jeff Randall said on behalf of the applicant.

He added that there are no plans for other site work on the property such as curb cuts and new parking. Based on the parking formula for requirements, he said 28 parking spaces are required and there are 34 now.

The former occupant of the building, a manufacturer of injection molding tools for plastic molding, closed last year. The facility is a relocation of Berkshire Kind's original construction proposal in the William Stanley Business Park. 

A third-party review was done on Berkshire Kind's odor mitigation plan and the suggestions from that review were applied to the board's conditions.

City Planner CJ Hoss explained that the state will require community meetings and that the abutters are to be notified of the project. This is when residents will usually come forward if they have concerns, he said.

At this point in the process, there are no notification requirements from the city.

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.