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Pittsfield Walmart Plans Online Order Pickup Area

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Walmart plans to enclose part of its garden center for an online grocery pickup area. 

On Thursday, the Conservation Commission OK'd the project to convert about 1,550 square feet of the outdoor garden center on the left side of the building. The total disturbance area is approximately 7,000 square feet and is confined to a few feet around the building and the drive aisle directly adjacent.

The expansion will facilitate the corporation's online ordering operations. This type of shopping became popular and necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It's very low impact,” said Greg DiBona of Bohler Engineering, the firm working on behalf of Walmart. 

"I mean, there's no change to drainage, no change in impervious coverage. The area was already fully paved and developed as part of the garden center. It's basically like putting a roofed area on top of that portion of the garden center.” 

The ConCom issued a negative determination for the project's request for determination of applicability, meaning it will not have a negative impact on the protected wetland areas. 

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.