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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 26, 2006
                                                         ----------------


                          BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Delaware                       0-51584                 04-3510455
      --------                       -------                 ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission              (IRS Employer
       incorporation)              File Number)            Identification No.)

      24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts             01201
      ------------------------------------------             -----
      (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (413) 443-5601
                                                            -------------

                                 Not Applicable
                                 --------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act 
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act 
     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the 
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the 
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



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ITEM 5.02.  DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
            APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.
            ---------------------------------

         On January 26, 2006, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. appointed Wallace W.
Altes to its board of directors. It is not currently expected that Mr. Altes
will initially be named to any of the committees of the board of directors of
the Company.

         The press release announcing Mr. Altes' appointment is included as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
            ---------------------------------

      (a)   Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired: Not applicable

      (b)   Pro Forma Financial Information: Not applicable

      (c)   Exhibits

            Number            Description
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            99.1              Press Release Dated January 30, 2006




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                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                          BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.


Dated: January 27, 2006                   By: /s/ Wayne F. Patenaude
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Wayne F. Patenaude
                                              Senior Vice President and
                                                   Chief Financial Officer