Pittsfield Board Supports Expanding Police Co-Responder Hours

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Police Department would like to extend the emergency co-responders' hours to cover all police shifts.

On Monday, the Personnel Review Board voted to increase the work week from 35 hours to 37.5 hours. 

Interim Police Chief Thomas Dawley explained that the co-responders were hired for a 40-hour week Monday through Friday but changed to a "four to two" schedule to match the officers because it was more beneficial. This means they work four consecutive days and then have two days off.

Currently, there are two co-responders and one social worker assigned to the PPD as part of the program and Dawley would like to expand it.

"It was in the best interest of the department to work side by side with our patrol officers which are on a four and two schedule. So the difference is they were hired on a 35-hour schedule, now we're proposing a 37-and-a-half-hour weekly schedule that is parallel with the officers and currently the officers are on a four and two schedule," he said.

"When you look at the totality of the whole year, the average per week is 37 and a half hours and that's what is in alignment with the patrolman as well. We thought this would be more beneficial because we'll have all the shifts covered and weekends rather than having to work Monday through Friday and the weekends are not covered. So it's been working out very well."

The positions were approved about a year ago after the police killing of Miguel Estrella sparked a call for better mental health resources. The department's co-responder had just gotten off shift at the time of the incident.

The positions were approved as Grade 13 salaries.

"Their salaries are not being adjusted downward, just the hourly rate is being adjusted so they are still being paid the same amount," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood clarified.

Dawley confirmed that there is no monetary loss.

There was little conversation from board members about the 2 1/2 increase. It will go to the City Council for final approval.

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.