Pricier Pontoosuc Lake Park Improvements Bid This Week

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cost estimates for Pontoosuc Lake Park improvements are higher than expected but the project is being bid this week. American Rescue Plan Act funds are expected fill the gap.

Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath reported this to the Parks Commission last week. Once bidding is complete, the city plans to get right to construction.

"The cost estimate for the project came back higher than was anticipated when the final designs were completed. We got the estimate and it was several hundred thousand over budget," he said.

"So there was an appeal made to the city's American Rescue Plan and some additional funding was put toward this project."

The 23-acre parcel on Hancock Road, or the south side, will be focused on first. This area is being targeted for passive recreation, with the north side encouraged for swimming to protect resource areas and reduce conflict between swimmers and boaters.

The city had hoped for phase one to come in at about $500,000, which was secured through a matching grant from the state Executive Office of Energy Environmental Affairs.

Any overage above the budgeted amount will be covered by ARPA funding.

"We didn't need to close the park for some summer months and sort of displace people that like to enjoy that park," McGrath pointed out.

"So we'll get into that project after Labor Day but that's definitely happening."

He reported that the bidding has been delayed because the purchasing agent has been out but final pricing should be known in September.

• transforming the current grass path to a paved promenade with a boardwalk around the wetland area
• a gathering spot and overlook
• improving the health of the white pine trees
• some clearing of the west side to improve the views
• repairing the upper parking lot
• adding an accessible path that will come down to the boat parking lot and connect to the accessible path
• benches and picnic tables

The sloped area has an over 50-foot elevation difference from the upper parking lot to the lake.  

Last week, the ConCom issued orders of conditions for a 700-square-foot, circular concrete splash pad at Durant Park.

Full cost estimates have not been completed but based on recent repairs made to the Clapp Park splash pad, it is estimated to cost between $350,000 and $450,000.

This project will likely not be realized for a couple of years as funding needs to be secured.

"It's important to put a number on what this will cost so we can figure out how it will get funded," McGrath said.

"At present, there's no money lined up. We have no idea where we'll get the money but as always, there are ways we prioritize things and we'll figure out how to get the Durant Park splash pad programmed and built."

He added that it's a fun project and will be great for the little park.

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.