Pittsfield Council OKs Incentives for Housing Project

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council supported two items to facilitate a housing development in the downtown area.

On Tuesday, orders to amend the Housing Development Zone and an order for a 10-year tax increment exemption for 100 Wendell Ave. were unanimously approved. AM Management plans to convert a commercial building into "The Pointe" with 28 units, six of them designated affordable.

Councilor at Large Alisa Costa loves that there is an affordable housing aspect to the project.

"Something I'm learning is how much we have to stack financing to make something like this happen," she said. "So it's going to be two years out but this is so important for our community."

The city adopted an HDIP zone several years ago around the downtown area and has expanded it to Tyler Street and other locations with updates in 2017, 2018 and 2020. This amendment incorporates the Wendell Avenue property and 55 Linden St., which also has the potential for housing development.

"The Housing Development Zone is a state program that we had applied for when it first came out, which was a number of years ago," Director of Community Development Justine Dodds explained.

Last week, the Affordable Housing Trust agreed to look into a condominium and rental housing project at 55 Linden St., the former Polish Falcon Club. The nearly 10,000-square-foot building sits on just under two acres at the corner of Linden and Center streets.

The developer had submitted a late eligibility application for Community Preservation Act funds that was not considered.

In other news, the council approved multiple appointments to city boards and commissions:

• Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey to the Homelessness Advisory Committee
• Frank LaRagione to the School Building Needs Commission
• Community Development & Housing Program Manager Nate Joyner and Jay Ogle to the Mobile Home Rent Control Board
• former councilor Karen Kalinowksy to the Council on Aging

Additionally, Newell Young, Chris Haley, Erin Forbush, Kim Borden, Justine Dodds, and Karen Ryan were reappointed to the Homelessness Advisory Committee.

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.