Pittsfield Announces Street Improvement Project Schedule for May 19-23

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has announced a schedule of street improvements to take place from May 19 through May 23.

From May 19 to May 22, crews are scheduled to apply loam and seed to Orlando Avenue, Backman Avenue, Daniels Avenue, and Jason Street. During the same period, structures on the initial section of Newell Street, between East Street and Lyman Street, will be raised.

On Friday, May 23, the first course of paving is planned for Newell Street, specifically the section between Elm Street and Lyman Street, as well as for Meadow Lane.

The city has prohibited on-street parking on the aforementioned streets between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. while this work is underway.

In addition to the city’s projects, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will be conducting overnight milling operations from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on the following dates and locations:

• May 19 and May 20 on First Street, between East Street and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.
• May 21 and May 22 on South Street, from the East/West Housatonic Street intersection to South Mountain Road.

Overnight parking will not be permitted on these streets during the specified hours.

From May 21 to May 23, MassDOT will also be adjusting structures on North Street, from the Berkshire Medical Center entrance to the Lanesboro town line.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution when traveling in these areas. The announced schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions.

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.