Berkshire Humane Sells Record Number of Subaru Tickets

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Humane Society raised a record amount of funds from its 13th annual Subaru Car Raffle day this past Saturday.

The Humane Society was able to raise $81,500 from the raffle; last year, the raffle raised $70,000.

"The one thing I look at most is the money we raised is so much more this year. That's just so many more animals that we know are in need that we're going to be able to help out now," Executive Director John Perrault said.

This is the first year the society was able to sell all 2,400 raffle tickets of $100 to win a 2026 Subaru from Haddad Subaru. 

"I don't think I've ever seen it as busy, as popular, and as long as I've been working and volunteering with the Berkshire Humane Society, this is the first year we've sold out of the tickets, which is exciting," said board President Laura Bykowski.

The daylong event for the raffle drawing started with a free rabies and microchip clinic, during which 67 rabies vaccines were administered and 55 microchips inserted.

"We had a very, very good turnout. And historically, when you get closer to the fall in this time of year, we don't see many and it's our fourth free one we've done this year, but they were still coming in strong," Perrault said. "So I'm very excited that we're able to help that many animals."

The shelter also waived adoption fees for the day. Two cats were able to be adopted through the event.

The collaboration for the event with Haddad Subaru started with the shelter's friend Chris Kramek, general manager at the dealership, who wanted to do something for the shelter. Their collaboration has helped the shelter raise funds and even get pets adopted, through their weekly animal sponsorship.

"Many, many years ago, my good friend Chris Kramek became the general manager at Haddad Subaru, invited me down and said 'I want to do something for your shelter, what do you want to do?’ I'm like, let's give away a car. He said, sure, let's figure out how to do that," Perrault said.

The prize was a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, Forester Premium or Outback Premium with an extended warranty and three years of free maintenance.

Perrault announced the winner, who was Lynn Whittaker of Pittsfield.

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.