DALTON, Mass. — Town officials are hoping there's a solution for the disposition of the so-called Bardin property. 

 

The town had voted a year and a half ago to sell the property but ran into a roadblock when it was found part of the parcel lies in the town of Windsor. 

 

The 10-acre parcel is part of a former farm property off Route 9 taken by the town nearly a decade ago for back taxes. 

 

Town Manager Tom Hutcheson explained over email that he believe the reason the town couldn't sell the land is because "it would split the [Agricultural Preservation Restriction] parcel (some of which is in Windsor and which the Town does not own), and the state was unwilling to allow the parcel to be split. A lease (of the tillable part of the land) would obviate that objection." 

 

Board member John Boyle informed his colleagues Monday that he reached out to APR Program Planner Tina Smith and was informed that there is a solution in sight. The abutter who was considering acquiring the section in Windsor is lining up legal procedures so they can reunite under one APR. The purchase agreement should be available shortly and the board can proceed from there. 

 

Hutcheson explained that to sell the property, there would have to be an actuation that would be set at a minimum price of $1,000 an acre.

 

If the Select Board votes to sell the property, it would instruct the town treasurer to go through with the necessary auction.  

 

During the Select Board meeting on March 21, Hutcheson said, "there are items on the town meeting warrant that we have to have town meeting approval to either lease or sell property."

 

The town would have to vote to finalize the sale of the property, which would then go back to the board to set a minimum appraisal with the town counsel's support. 

 

In other news: 

 

• The board approved the 16th annual Buddy Walk of the Berkshires for Saturday, Sept. 24. For the past two years, Berkshire County Arc has been hosting this event virtually because of the pandemic but hopes this year to be in person. Craneville Elementary School has approved the event and it has been certified for liability. 

 

"We don't want to tie up traffic. That's why we're going to go up on the side streets. Once we cross over on St. Agnes' side, we're going to go back to Craneville that way, so we don't tie it up both ways," said Christine Ferrari, family advocate at Berkshire County Arc, said. "So basically, we're trying to keep to what we used to do."

 

• The board approved the Dalton Community Recreation Association's 45th annual Road Race on Sunday, May 1, at Nessacus Regional Middle School. Last year the race was delayed to August because of COVID-19 but is back to the normal schedule this year. 

 

"It's a great family fun event. We have something for all ages from the little kids running obstacles and popsicles and the splatter sprint to adults running 5k,10k and there's also a walk," CRA Executive Director Alison Peters said. 

 

The CRA has already sent letters to the Police and Fire departments, and the state. Last year, it had 200 participants — 100 adults and 100 children — but this year organizers think they will have a bigger turnout due to the decline in COVID-19.