The Berkshire Athenaeum Announces Annual Summer Reading Program

10:59AM / Monday, June 16, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, announced its annual Summer Reading Program, "Level Up at Your Library," running from Monday, June 23 to Saturday, August 9.

The program is free.

"Level Up at Your Library" offers diverse program options designed to appeal to every age group, fostering a love of reading and promoting continuous learning. The initiative is generously supported by The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Massachusetts Library System, Boston Bruins, and Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

"We are incredibly excited to launch 'Level Up at Your Library' and welcome the community for another summer of reading adventures," said Olivia Bowers, adult services and programming supervisor. "Our summer reading program is a cornerstone of our community engagement, providing a fun and accessible way for individuals of all ages to stay connected to literature and learning. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their continued support in making this vital program possible."

Visit www.pittsfieldlibrary.org for all the details on how to sign up, including information on Beanstack, the Library's reading tracker app.

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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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