Pittsfield Health Board Says 'No' to Chicken Permit Responsibilities

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health does not agree with putting chicken permitting under its purview just to reduce the cost.

For months, Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowsky and resident Melissa Corbett have been trying to move the permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals to the Health Department because of permitting costs. Keeping six chickens currently clocks in at more than $500 and the petitioners say it could be a $25 fee under the Health Department.

Director of Public Health Andy Cambi and Health Board members are concerned that this new responsibility would overtax the department and do not see cost as a valid reason to make the change. This was restated on Wednesday.

"The idea that the recording fee is the biggest challenge and the financial cost is exorbitant seems like the issue to address," Chair Bobbie Orsi said. "So that I think is where this could go next."

Members suggested looking at the cost's source, which includes a deed attachment on the owner's home. Kalinowksy insists that her proposal is the only way to dramatically reduce the fee and it would not be too much of a burden on the department.

She said Police Chief Michael Wynn does not have a problem with the animal control officer responding to chicken complaints and citing people.  

There have been about 15 complaints in the past five years but board member Kimberly Loring argued that there may be more chicken owners -- and, therefore, more possible conflicts -- if the process is made cheaper.

Cambi found that most surrounding communities permit chickens under the ZBA and could not find any resources for subsidizing the financial piece. He believes that financial hardships with all permits should be addressed.

"It shouldn't be specific to one permit because a lot of our residents might have financial hardships with other permits," Cambi said.

"And that doesn't mean that we're insensitive to that financial hardship issue, it's just that I don't know if that's the most effective way to address it and it may inadvertently create other challenges or problems for the department itself."

Since the permit is a zoning function, he would rather address the underlying issue of cost that is directly linked to the recording requirement.

"I don't want to speak for everyone, but I think it sounds like we're developing consensus here that we don't think it belongs here," Gordon said.

"Yet we have empathy for and concern for the situation you're describing and I certainly would continue to problem solve with you."

Member Steve Smith said it would be a "sidestep" for the board to change the permitting authority rather than being part of an effort to change it.

"I'm not insensitive to the financial cost of this at all," he added.

"But I don't know, to me, it's still like people have said already, it's not an urgent public health issue. For me, it would tend to dilute some of the things that we're trying to accomplish."

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.