Paul Mark Appointed to Cultural Economy Advisory Council

04:22PM / Saturday, September 28, 2024Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey Driscoll Administration appointed members of the Cultural Economy Advisory Council.

The group is comprised of public and private sector stakeholders charged with exploring policies that support artists and cultural organizations, examining ways to create economic opportunities in the arts and culture sector, and promoting cultural equity in the arts. Governor Healey established the council earlier this year to bolster Massachusetts' creative economy, which adds $27 billion to the state economy each year and supports 135,000 jobs across the state.

"We are excited to kick off this effort to support our cultural economy, particularly as Massachusetts cultural and arts organizations host festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of America's founding as part of our Massachusetts 250 initiative over the next two years,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Thank you to these council members who will help our administration identify ways to support artists and drive economic opportunity for this important sector."

The council consists of representatives of the creative tourism community, performing arts sector, and state and local government and is co-chaired by Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. The Council will work in close partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the state's arts agency charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector and will present recommendations for cultural development and jobs growth to Governor Healey.

Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council Members:

Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao (Co-Chair)
Kate Fox, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (Co-Chair)
Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Tiffancy Allecia, Executive Director, Springfield Creative City Collective
Luke Blackadar, Deputy Director, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
Representative Mindy Domb, House Chair, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Magie Gaipo-Scott, Senior Director, Government Affairs & Legal Affairs, Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Deborah Hall, Executive Director, YWCA of Central Massachusetts
Candace "Lee" Heald, AHA! New Bedford
Joyce Linehan, Assistant to the President for Special Projects, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Senator Paul Mark, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Ming Min Hui, Executive Director, Boston Ballet
Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Peabody Essex Museum
Emily Ruddock, Executive Director, MassCreative
Lindsey Schmid, Director of Marketing, 1Berkshire
Annis Sengupta, Director of Arts and Culture, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Chad Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Julie Wake, Executive Director at Arts Foundation of Cape Cod

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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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