Pittsfield's West Nile Risk Elevated; Council Asked to Resume Spraying

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With three cases of West Nile virus found in recent sampled mosquitos, the City Council on Tuesday will tackle requests to resume adulticide spraying.

On the agenda is a petition from Ward 4 Councilor James Conant requesting to repeal the action that eliminated spray applications for the control of adult mosquitos and that the Board of Health and Conservation Commission develop guidelines and protocols on spraying.

There is also a petition from Director of Public Health Andy Cambi asking the City Council to rescind the vote of no spraying in Pittsfield and review the Berkshire County Mosquito Control program.

Earlier this month, the Board of Health voted to urge the council to resume spraying to prevent human infection. Two years ago, the council voted to opt out of spraying adulticide against the board's recommendation.

There was said to be a "disconnect" between health officials and the city on the health issues. 

Most people don't develop any symptoms from a West Nile infection, but in those who do, it can result in fevers, rashes and nausea or more severe symptoms such as inflammations, convulsions or even paralysis. There is no cure. 

In the last two weeks of July, two mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile. One was located in the Elm Street and William Street area and the other was in the city center near Wahconah Park.

On Friday, a third mosquito tested positive for WNV in the vicinity of Cheshire Road and the city's risk level was elevated to moderate, meaning that human infection has likely occurred. At the time, there was not a documented case of human WNV.

In his communication to the council, Cambi relayed the information that was given to the Health Board from the mosquito control project's Superintendent Chris Horton during its Aug. 2 meeting.

Though the city opted out of adulticide spraying, the pre-emptive larval control and catch basin operations have remained.

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.