Berkshire United Way Receives Donation from Eversource Foundation

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Eversource Energy, a long-time supporter of United Ways across New England, has donated $17,000 to Berkshire United Way (BUW).
 
This additional financial support will help BUW further invest in the work of its nonprofit partners and the people they serve, with a focus on school and career readiness, household stability, and mental health.
 
"We are thankful for the generosity of the Eversource Foundation, as well as the consistent dedication of Eversource employees to volunteer their time and dollars, to help enable our important work to empower our neighbors to achieve their goals, creating a stronger Berkshires," said BUW Interim President and CEO Katherine von Haefen.
 
The donations from Eversource are collected during the company's six-week employee and retiree annual fundraising effort.
 
"Through the generosity of our employees and the support of the Eversource Foundation, we're proud to partner with United Way and its local agencies to help create meaningful, lasting change in the lives of our customers. Whether it's through financial contributions or the thousands of volunteer hours our employees dedicate each year, we're united in our mission to uplift and empower those who need it most," said Theresa Hopkins-Staten, president of the Eversource Foundation and vice president of Corporate Citizenship and Equity.

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

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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