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Pittsfield Auctions Vacant West Housatonic Property for $450K

The auction was run by Zekos Group of Shrewsbury.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A long-vacant property at 1685 West Housatonic Street was auctioned off for $450,000 on Thursday.

It was purchased by neighboring businessman Richard Wojtkowski, who owns Pittsfield Lawn and Tractor.

"I’ve owned the business for 30 years and I drive by every day," he said.

Wojtkowski has no set plans for the 30,000-square-foot building and 10 acres of land but intends to keep the structure and give it some TLC. He estimates that it will take a couple of million dollars to bring it back up to use depending on the level of work needed.

The auction had 15 registered bidders and began at $100,000.  It took under ten minutes to reach the winning bid and the initial investment required is $20,00 by Monday.

The property was taken by the city through a tax title foreclosure three years ago with its former owner owing almost $550,000. It has been out of use for at least 10 years, city officials estimate.

A request for proposals had been put out for its reuse but the city was not satisfied with the response.  The city then decided to auction it off through the Zekos Group auctioneers out of Shrewsbury.

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.