Berkshire Athenaeum Summer Reading Program

02:58PM / Thursday, June 20, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum launches its Read, Renew, Repeat summer reading program on Monday, June 24, 2024.

During the next seven weeks, the library will host a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults to foster and celebrate a love of reading. Participants can win prizes for participating and attend programs to learn about the summer reading theme of conservation and recycling.

"We've planned an exciting program for youth this summer. We have events planned at the library, in local parks, and in partnership with community groups to make summer reading a great opportunity to read, learn, and discover," said Youth Services Supervisor Sara Russell-Scholl. "Each part of the program is tailored to the needs and abilities of that age range and is flexible enough that families can adapt the structure to fit their family literacy goals."

Events include a Live Animal Show, showcasing up to ten kinds of reptiles, with Uncharted Wild to kick off the summer on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 6 pm in the Library Auditorium. Sports fans will enjoy a visit by Boston Bruins Mascot Blades on Friday, August 2, 2024 at noon. Participants can win a range of prizes from an underwater camera to a year membership to the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum to books, and more.

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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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