Pittsfield Health Board OKs Green Burial Policy

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health last week approved a policy that allows city cemeteries to offer green burials. 

The board approved official guidance during its regular meeting on Wednesday, a couple of months after representatives from the independent Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory requested a policy. "Green" generally means no embalming and no use of metal or hardwood caskets.
 
"The purpose is again to provide that guidance and standards for all Pittsfield cemeteries if they wish to become a hybrid cemetery and provide green burials. This is not for home burials. This is just for green burials at cemeteries," Director of Public Health Andy Cambi explained. 

"It talks about the authority that we have, which, again, is to make reasonable health regulations, and we also have the authority to govern cemeteries and burials." 

Green burial sites have no concrete grave liners or vaults, and use biodegradable materials for caskets and shrouds. Cambi added, "The intent is to allow for a natural decomposition and return of the remains to the earth." 

He highlighted the environmental controls that are embedded in the policy. Green burial sites must be notified and approved by the Board of Health or city health agent, and the plan will be evaluated to ensure that the plot doesn't contaminate drinking water or is on unstable soils. 

It would be the cemetery's responsibility to have the area assessed. 

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.