Sunday 5K Kicks Off Busy Autumn for Berkshire Running Foundation

Community submission09:37AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Running Foundation has announced its next four events for 2023.

A locally-based nonprofit organization, Berkshire Running foundation was established earlier this year to advance and support the positive impact running events have in the neighborhoods in which we live.

Sponsored by Spectrum Health, The FIR 5K will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 9 a.m. at the Crane Avenue entrance to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

Sunday’s 5K Walk/Run is to benefit the Berkshire Running Foundation's FIR (Fitness In Recovery) program. This 3.1-mile event encourages the community to come out and support the continuing efforts being made by the FIR program with members of our community through wellness and exercise to help them support their journey to recovery.

“September is National Recovery Month,” Spectrum Health Regional Executive Director Rebecca Polastri said. “September is a time to celebrate individuals who are in recovery, celebrate those who are trying to find recovery, and honor those who have lost their battle with addiction. Recovery is every person, every family, and every community. Everyone is invited to join us to celebrate Recovery Month with a 5K walk or run.”

Berkshire Running Foundation and Spectrum Health staff and clients have worked toward helping to create a program offering a free, safe, sober, and supportive environment for anyone who would like to introduce fitness into their lives. A proven benefit to helping anyone to deal with the issues surrounding any type of recovery; whether it be from substance abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, food issues or perhaps you are the caregiver to someone in recovery. Fitness is a wonderful addition to any program.

Beginning in August, Berkshire Running Foundation held weekly meetings on the bike path to train to complete the 5K distance. This program was free and open to the public led by Shiobbean Lemme, Carisa Flood Vincent and wellness coaches through the Berkshire Running Foundation, Inc. For more information contact Shiobbean at director@berkshirerun.org

Registration for the FIR 5K is $35. The website to register is located here.

Additional events for the Berkshire Running Foundation will be the Berkshire Half Marathon and 2-person Relay on Oct. 8, the Roaring 5K race at the Red Lion Inn and Naumkeag to benefit Community Access to the Arts on Oct. 29 and the final event for the Foundation will be the eighth annual MountainOne Thankful 5k to be held at Berkshire Community College on Thanksgiving morning.

Sponsorship is available for these events by contacting Shiobbean Lemme at director@berkshirerun.org or visiting the website www.berkshirerun.org.

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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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