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Renovated Medical Arts Entrance, Parking Lot Open

The facade is gray in contrast to BMC's brick exterior. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After six months of closure, the Medical Arts Complex's second-floor entrance is restored, and the parking lot has dozens of additional spaces. 

On Monday, an expanded and repaved parking lot and entry opened at Berkshire Medical Center, operated by Berkshire Health Systems. The about $1.2 million project aims to expand access and convenience for patients. 

"The project saw an expansion of access and convenience for patients utilizing the BMC Medical Arts Complex," Director of Media Relations Michael Leary explained via email on Monday. 

"This included over doubling the number of parking spaces compared to the original lot, leveling the grade of the lot to make it easier for patients with mobility issues, as the previous lot had a steady rise on the east end, and expanding the size of the spaces to better meet the needs of today's vehicles." 

The facade has been modernized with a gray, monolithic design, and BHS reports adding "dozens" of wider parking spaces. During construction, which began in early March, the lot across Charles Street was opened to patients, and a shuttle was provided from there to the front of the MAC's first-floor entrance. 

Leary reported that the lot still needs some minor work, such as decorative brick, "but both the lot and second-floor entry are now open." 

Part of the project included the demolition of a more than century-old building at the front of the property. In January, the Historical Commission approved leveling 769 North St., a 1920 building on the BMC campus. The commission first approved its demolition in 2015.

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.