Pittsfield Community Radio, WTBR To Hold Fundraiser

02:06PM / Monday, November 13, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD Mass. — Pittsfield Community Radio, 89.7 WTBR-FM, will be holding a one-day on-air fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All money raised during the on-air fundraiser will go towards continuing the mission of providing the community with a non-profit, non-commercial radio station to present diverse local, entertaining, informative, and educational programming.

The on-air event will be anchored by former Pittsfield morning radio fixture and current Coordinator of Advancement at WTBR, Bob Heck, and Pittsfield Community Television's Executive Director and Morning Drive host Shawn Serre. The day will also feature local radio personalities who currently produce radio programs on WTBR. There will be special guests, including Mayor-Elect Peter Marchetti, 1Berkshire President, and CEO Jonathan Butler, Pittsfield Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Curtis, and more.

"We are grateful to be able to provide this programming every day of the year, and our annual Radiothon fundraiser is one way we can make that happen," Shawn Serre, Executive Director of PCTV, says this event is critical to the station's success and continued operation. This station survives when the community steps up with its support. Donations received during this event are what keeps the lights on and the transmitter broadcasting."

Gifts will be given away, including local restaurant and business gift certificates. Every donation of $25 or more will qualify for a chance to win a Thanksgiving dinner from KJ Nosh Catering and a Day Spa Pass for two from Canyon Ranch in Lenox.

"This year, we have proven the need for our community to continue to have a community radio station," Heck said. "The independent, participatory community radio WTBR provides is rare in today's mass media world. We're the only radio station in the Berkshires that allows community members from all walks of life to come together to listen, create, react, and engage. Once a year we ask the larger community to come together and help keep us going."

The one-day on-air fundraiser will air all day on 89.7 WTBR-FM, as well as the WTBR Facebook page and on PCTV Select, available on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire.

Donations can be made by 413-445-4234 during the pledge drive or made online anytime at wtbrfm.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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