Crane Fund Donates to Local Oranizations

01:19PM / Thursday, November 20, 2025Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has donated funding to 92 organizations around the globe, some in Berkshire County.

Crane Currency associates nominated 36 organization, all of which received funding to bolster their services.

These organizations include Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire Workforce Board, South Community Food Pantry, Hinsdale Food Pantry, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Elder Services of Berkshire County, and more.

The nominations from the associates showcases the collaborative spirit of the Dalton community, a commitment that has helped the organizations become better equipped to fulfill its missions, according to a statement from the fund.

"Because of [the fund,] lives are being transformed. [Its] generosity has touched the hearts of the 15,000 people we serve each year — offering hope where there was despair, resources where there was need, and love where there was loneliness. We truly couldn’t do this without [it]," said Katelynn Miner, the founder and executive assistant of the Berkshire Dream Center, as quoted in the press release.

The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has long been a pillar of support for the community, providing essential resources to organizations that make a significant impact on the lives of many, the press release states.

The fund is one Crane Currency's, now CraneNXT, three charitable funds. The other two are the Crane Fund, established in 1914, and Crane Foundation, created in 1951. More information here.

The Crane Fund for Widows and Children makes contributions to charitable non-profit

organizations that provide direct help to underserved populations in the communities where Crane NXT works or where its associates have a direct connection.

Crane NXT has a location in Dalton, which focuses on authentication, security, and detection.

Fund officials say it touches the lives of many through its efforts to support issues around food insecurity, affordable housing, education, health, environmental protection, animal welfare, and many other worthy causes.

Tags: Crane, donations,

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Pittsfield's DPW Czar Talks Snow Plowing

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Staffing shortages continue to stretch Pittsfield’s public works employees thin during winter storm events.

On Monday, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales updated the Public Works Committee on snow operations. Last winter, snow maintenance and winter overtime were overspent by nearly $1.2 million, and Pittsfield saw a total of 4.77 feet of snow.

"We place safety over everything else when we do the work we do, and one of those main things is to ensure that we have safe access for emergency vehicles. Then we consider equity, efficiency, and cost control," Morales explained.

"… We have to do the work we're doing and if the budget is at the end of the day, at the end of the year in the negative, then we have to make sure that we can replenish that by some other means and that's why, very often, almost every year, I have not seen a year where we have not done this, we come back to the City Council to ask for funds to replenish some of the funds spent on snow and ice."

The region saw more than a foot of snow earlier this year, and it continued to fall on Tuesday. Snow accumulation is significant because of freezing temperatures.

This winter season to date, 4.5 feet of snow has fallen on Pittsfield, and contractors worked more than 4,000 hours.

Morales cited contractor availability, contractor rates and insurance, staffing shortages, and increasing weather unpredictability as the main challenges for snow removal operations in fiscal year 2025. Staffing shortages continue in 2026, as the Highway Division has seven vacancies, causing "a major issue" when it comes to maintaining around-the-clock staffing during storms.

Contractors have been brought in to supplement with larger vehicles, and Deputy Commissioner Jason Murphy and other employees have been plowing while they should be focused on quality control. Morales pointed out that the city has worked with contractors to provide better pay and insurance standards for this winter season.

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