Comments Accepted on Kirvin Park Ecological Improvements

10:29AM / Friday, July 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield, Housatonic River Natural Resources Trustees, and General Electric Co. are working together on a significant floodplain and habitat restoration and enhancement project at Kirvin Memorial Park, 974 Williams St.

The project will improve the conditions of approximately 17 acres in the floodplain of Sackett and Ashley Brooks in the south end of Kirvin Memorial Park by removing invasive plant species and establishing native vegetation. In addition, existing wetlands will be expanded into a portion of the floodplain area. The invasive plants collectively impair the overall habitat diversity and functions of the ecosystem.

The public is invited to comment on the Final Restoration Design/Restoration Action Plan for Kirvin Memorial Park. A copy of the plan and instructions on how to comment can be found here.

All comments must be received by Sept. 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. Additional information and a recording of the public meeting that occurred in June are also posted on the project website.

This project is slated to start in the late fall. During this project, the park will remain open to the public.

Tags: invasive species, public parks,

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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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