Dalton Police Gets Grant to Add K-9 Unit

The Dalton Police Department was awarded a grant to add a K-9 unit to the force.

DALTON, Mass. — The Police Department has sniffed out additional funding for the establishment of a K-9 unit.

The department was granted a total of $26,000 to the support the creation and early maintenance of a trained dog and K-9 officer.

"It's something that we're excited and gearing up for," Police Chief Jeffrey Coe said, following the formal acceptance of funds by the Select Board on Monday.

The Stanton Foundation — a program supporting human/dog relationships — granted the Police Department $25,000 for initial acquisition, training and maintenance costs for the onset of the new K-9 unit. Total startup costs are estimated at $17,700 per dog, including conversion of a cruiser for K-9 use, construction of an outdoor kennel and dog food, according to information about the grant.

A portion of those costs will be freed up from the donation of a bullet and stab-proof vest for protection of the K-9 by a Massachusetts-based, non-profit called Vested Interest in K-9 Inc., valued at $1,000.

According to Coe, the force expects to acquire a dog by April and complete its certification by the fall. The town will seek the help of Dwayne Foisy, a captain with the Berkshire County sheriff's office and nationally recognized instructor, to train a K-9 officer.

The canine is expected to include guarantees for one-year of health and its ability to successfully complete a K-9 training, including initially a 14-week handler course.

Lee received a Stanton grant earlier this year and added Kumar, a German shepherd, to the force this fall. In addition to the sheriff's office, North Adams, Williamstown, Lanesborough and Pittsfield have K-9 units.

Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:18PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.

DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.

 

Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 

 

Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 

 

Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 

 

This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  

 

Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 

 

"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said.