48th Mother’s Day 5K and Community 1 Mile Walk, Run

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Sunday, May 12, the Berkshire Running Foundation will host the Mother’s Day Women’s 5K and Community 1 Mile Walk/Run at the Paterson Field House, Berkshire Community College.

All proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Freeman Center to offer hope, help and healing to all experiencing or affected by domestic and sexual violence in Berkshire County.

Registration fee is $15 for 1 mile / $30 for 5K. The 1 mile Community Walk/Run begins at 8:00 am followed by the 5K Women only at 8:30 am. Prizes will be awarded to the top overall finishers. Raffle features $25.00 gift cards donated by local restaurants. All registrants will have an opportunity to start a fundraising page through the Berkshire Running Foundation event page.

Started in 1977, the Mother’s Day 5K is the longest held, all female running event in the country.

"The Berkshire Running Foundation is honored to be hosting the Mother’s Day 5K. We feel it is important to give a platform to help support the services the Elizabeth Freeman Center provides for our community 24/7 and to keep this classic running event going for another year," said  Shiobbean Lemme, executive director of the Berkshire Running Foundation

For registration and further details visit https://berkshirerun.org or call Berkshire Running Center at (413) 344-4472.

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.