Market 32, Price Chopper Customers Raise Over $60K for Special Olympics

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper customers at 129 stores across New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire raised $50,143.72 for Special Olympics through a checkout round-up campaign in February and March. Market 32 and Price Chopper contributed an additional $10,000, bringing the total donation to $60,143.72.

The funds will benefit Special Olympics athletes in the six states where the stores operate. In March, over 30 athletes, partners, and coaches from these states participated in the 2025 Winter World Games in Turin, Italy, as part of Special Olympics USA, winning one gold, six silver, and 20 bronze medals.

Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations, acknowledged the customers' contributions to providing opportunities for local athletes.

Stacey Hengsterman, Special Olympics New York President & CEO, emphasized the value of retail partnerships for their organization and the impact of customer donations on athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Headline:

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.