Former District Attorney Marks Year In New Position in St. Louis

11:47AM / Sunday, April 21, 2024Print Story | Email Story

SAINT LOUIS, Mont.-April 5 marks one year at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for Andrea Harrington - former elected prosecutor for Berkshire County as the office's deputy chief of staff.

"Deputy Chief of Staff Andrea Harrington shares my vision for a justice system that prioritizes public safety by focusing valuable resources on aggressively prosecuting people who pose a risk to our community while providing paths to treatment for those who are best served by a public health approach to mental illness, substance use disorder, and poverty," St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said. "As an elected prosecutor in Massachusetts, Andrea's leadership proved that prosecution policies based in fairness and justice support public safety. I am thrilled to have her perspective and expertise in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office."

Harrington was elected as the first female district attorney for Berkshire County in 2018. She served for four years and joined the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office following an unsuccessful re-election campaign.

As an elected prosecutor, Harrington launched a high-risk team to prevent domestic violence homicides, partnered with the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law School on a first-of-its-kind study tracking a year of cases disposed by plea, and collaborated with the Innocence Project and the Anti-Defamation League to overturn an arson conviction tainted by anti-Semitism during jury deliberations.

Harrington has practiced in the area of criminal law for over 20 years, including defending death row inmates in post-conviction appeals in South Florida and representing clients in criminal trial and appellate matters in Massachusetts.

Harrington earned her law degree from American University, Washington College of Law and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. She has relocated to the St. Louis region with her husband and two sons.

"Prosecuting Attorney Bell is national leader in advocating for reproductive freedom, opposing the death penalty, and in finding holistic solutions to the opioid epidemic," Harrington said. "Joining Prosecuting Attorney Bell's office is the culmination of my life's work to reimagine a justice system that puts the people above the powerful. I am honored to be supporting the work of a phenomenal team at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office who make the tough calls every day."

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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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