Pittsfield 2022 Citizens Academy Cohort

12:00PM / Tuesday, December 27, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 2022 Citizens Academy cohort were recognized and presented with certificates at the Nov. 29 City Council meeting for successfully completing the 12-week program, which is designed to help community members understand the operations of local government.

Participants included: Abigail Allard; Emma Barishman; Matthew Belanger; Laura Cabrera; Lorena Dus; Tonya Frazier; William Garrity; Benjamin Gelb; Thomas Gelb; Jose Gonzalez; Michael Kalmbach; Mario Kelsey; Susan Krantz; Maria Menaca; Patricia Molina; Philip Nelson; Jamyal Newton; Travis Norrgard; Jody Skrocki; and Pat Tremblay.

“With the completion of the 2022 Citizens Academy, close to 75 individuals have participated in the program since its inception four years ago. Each person that participates in the program walks away with additional knowledge of municipal government and ways in which they can be involved,” said Catherine VanBramer, executive assistant to the mayor and founder of the program. “I extend my congratulations to the class of 2022 and look forward to seeing what is ahead.”

The program began on Aug. 24 with a government overview on presented by Mayor Linda Tyer, City Council President Peter Marchetti, William Cameron, chair, School Committee, and Joseph Curtis, superintendent of Pittsfield Public schools.

In the following weeks through Nov. 16, participants learned about the following departments and offices:

• Airport

• Berkshire Athenaeum

• Building Inspectors

• Building Maintenance

• City Clerk

• Community Development

• Council on Aging

• Cultural Development

• Department of Public Services and Utilities

• Finance

• Fire Department

• Health Department

• Human Resources

• Mayor’s Office

• Police Department

• Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

• Veterans’ Services

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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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