Governor Names Director of Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation

08:00AM / Saturday, September 23, 2023Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced the appointment of Paul Jahnige as the first Director of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR).

The EEA established the Office in December 2022 to elevate and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts and the associated benefits to the economy, health, environment, and quality of life. Jahnige will work alongside state agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership (MMP), and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT). He starts on Sept. 25.

"Massachusetts has exceptional beaches, trails, and parks, and it's critical they're accessible and available to all residents. Paul Jahnige will be instrumental in advancing transformative outdoor recreational opportunities across the state, with a focus on equity," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "His experience demonstrates his commitment to merging recreation with stewardship and conservation, which will shape our environmental landscape for generations."

"I'm honored and excited to step into this new role as the Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to take meaningful action in preserving and protecting our natural resources for all residents to enjoy all year long," added Jahnige. "Outdoor recreation is not only critical for our physical, mental, and social health but also for Massachusetts' economic health. I look forward to working alongside other state agencies, private and non-profit partners to get people outside to play in Massachusetts."

Paul Jahnige comes from the DCR, where he recently served as the Greenways and Trails Program Director. He has twenty-five years of experience working in environmental restoration and community development. Following a Masters in Environmental Studies from Yale and overseas work in Ecuador and Kenya, Paul founded Community Resources, an urban environmental non-profit that develops programs in minority, low-income communities across cities in the Mid-Atlantic. He is an outdoorsman and youth coach who lives in Williamsburg with his wife and three children.

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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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