Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Announces Technical Assistance Offerings

04:01PM / Friday, June 09, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, in partnership with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and with support from the United States Economic Development Administration, announced the final slate of technical assistance offerings of the Berkshire Economic Recovery Program (BERP).

The Berkshire Economic Recovery Program Technical Assistance series has been able to support more than 80 businesses through targeted training offerings, resulting in notable business improvements, and quantified by the over $800,000 in funding collectively accessed by businesses through their participation. Going into the Summer of 2023, the series continues with two final cohorts: "Jumpstarting Your Crowdfunding Campaign" with Laura Christensen, and "Social Media and Digital Marketing Basics" with Francesca Olsen.

Participants in each topical cohort will join a scheduled kickoff workshop with the technical assistance provider. Upon completion of the workshop, each participant will be provided up to two hours of free one-on-one technical assistance from the consultant leading the workshop.

The BERP Technical Assistance series is free, and offered to any business in the Berkshires. Each cohort has a capacity of seven participating businesses, so space is very limited and registration is required. For details on these technical assistance offerings and to register, visit: https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/berkshire-economic-recovery-project-technical-assistance-program/

For more information, or for additional inquiries, contact the 1Berkshire Economic Development Team at EconomicDev@1berkshire.com.

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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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