Larry Rulison is reporting in the Times Union Berkshire Bank is expanding out of New York and New England. The Pittsfield, Mass. bank is acquiring First Choice Bank of Lawrenceville, N.J., a move that pushes its influence into the mid-Atlantic region. The deal is valued at $111.7 million and gives Berkshire six new branches in the Princeton, N.J. area and two in the Philadelphia area. Berkshire Bank has a large Capital Region presence, including branches in Cairo, Chatham, Greenville and Hudson.