Fundraiser For Local Family Awaiting Heart Transplant

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Running Foundation will be hosting a fundraiser on Friday, April 4th from 4pm-10pm to help support the family of AJ Riello, son of Tony and Heidi Riello of Pittsfield.  
 
AJ is currently at Boston Children's Hospital undergoing treatment for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that had only recently shown symptoms. AJ is now awaiting a heart transplant. 
 
The fundraiser will be open to the public in the Tavern at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, Benedict Rd in Pittsfield, MA from 4pm -10pm.  The event will have raffles with prizes from local businesses, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction; in addition to a sold-out Music Bingo game from 6pm-8pm in the ballroom.
 
Prizes can be donated for the raffle and donations can be made by contacting Shiobbean Lemme, the executive director of the Berkshire Running Foundation by emailing her at director@berkshirerun.org.  
 
Raffle tickets can also be purchased in person at Berkshire Running Center any time before the event. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win, prizes will be held for 30 days and then donated to the family.
 
Bracelets to support the family are also available for $5 each at Berkshire Running Center, Rocco's North End Barber Shop and Kileen, Quinn and Arace PC in Pittsfield
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Finance Approves Amended Police Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee approved an amended version of the Police Department budget.
 
The amended budget of $1,664,924 is $14,564 less than what was originally requested. This is still an increase of $129,668 increase from this year.
 
The budget is made up of $191,338 in expenses and $1,473,586 in salaries. 
 
The department initially proposed a budget of $1,679,488, a $144,232 or 9.39 percent, increase mainly caused by salary increases.
 
Police Chief Deanna Strout emphasized that the increases within the budget are mostly contractual.  
 
Finance Committee chair William Drosehn said if "we all kind of tightened our belts even further," the budget could be cut by $15,000 or $20,000. 
 
However, he stressed that if more funds are needed, reserve fund transfer requests can be made if the need arises. 
 
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