image description — Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis presents the certificate to Aiden Garcia at the Nov. 16 Central Berkshire Regional School Committee meeting.

Wahconah High Senior Garcia Award Certificate of Academic Excellence

05:03PM / Saturday, December 16, 2023Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — Wahconah Regional High School senior Aiden Garcia is the recipient of this year's Massachusetts Association School Superintendent's Certificate of Academic Excellence.

The award was presented by Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis at the Nov. 16, Central Berkshire Regional School Committee meeting.

Garcia is the son of Susan and Andrew Garcia of Dalton and has distinguished himself by demonstrating high academic standings, comprehensive community service, and standout leadership endeavors throughout his educational career.

"What I am most impressed with is Aidan's commitment to service within his community and the way he approaches all individuals with empathy, respect and compassion," said Blake-Davis. "In this way, I am quite certain he will make the world a better place."

Garcia has participated in extracurricular activities such as quiz team and being president of the Green Umbrella Club, class secretary as a freshman and sophomore, secretary of School Council, current National Honor Society president, captain of the Nordic ski team, captain of varsity track and field, and an Eagle Scout. He received the Class of 2024 Citizenship Award and Academic Excellence Awards in Algebra 2 Honors, Modern World History Honors, Concert Band and English 10 Honors.

In addition, Blake-Davis said, he has stood out as an exemplary citizen due to his kindness and compassion for all individuals in the school community. He upholds the core values of his high school to include resilience, integrity, self-direction, and empathy. He lives the motto "We all rise together." He gathers food and donations from local businesses to support those in need and volunteers at the National Honor Society's Empty Bowls dinner. He likes to work with young children and baby-sits and has visited Craneville Elementary to participate in environmental lessons. He has volunteered at the May Day Races as well as at Senior Awards Night, graduation and senior assembly.

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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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