DALTON, Mass.—The Historical Commission is looking to have a copy of the book "Down Memory Lane" rebound.
The book is a compiled series of weekly columns by the Rev. Franklin L. "Cap" Couch that appeared in the now defunct Dalton News Record from 1972 to 1977.
The project would improve the accessibility of the book so that interested buyers can purchase it because finding a copy is difficult.
There is a question who owns the copyright because the publisher, Berkshire Family History Association, compiled the columns from newspaper but the commission is unsure if it can republish it. The book that Commissioner Bonnie Eastwood has does not have a copyright page.
Couch was pastor of Tyringham Union Church for 21 years and an assistant pastor at First Congregational Church. His nickname came from his time as an Army captain during World War I; he was later recalled to duty in World War II, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was very active in the Dalton community, including as Civil Defense director for many years, and in veterans organizations. His portrait was ceremoniously hung in the Town Hall meeting room in 1977.
His son, Robert Couch, reached out to express that he is willing to help the commission in this endeavor.
Chair Deborah Kovacs plans to invite Couch to a future meetings to discuss the project further.
The town used to sell "Yester-Years of Dalton" calendars during elections and that is something the commission is interested in reinstating.
Eastwood said Studley Press quoted the cost of a perfect binding for $400 to $500 for 10 copies. The Fitch-Hoose House would sell it for $40 to $50.
She will look into how much it would cost to purchase spiral binding and have the commissioners put the book together.
The process of putting together a book with a spiral binding is tedious, Kovacs said.
If the price is only a small difference then it may not be worth choosing that option, Commissioner Carolina Galliher said.
Commissioners asked how they should navigate copyright because they are unsure if they are allowed to reprint and sell the books.
The Fitch-Hoose House will be selling bandanas for $3. The commission spent approximately $50 to purchase 24 bandanas and is also interested in purchasing Hoose House T-shirts.
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BRPC Committee Mulls Input on State Housing Plan
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Regional Issues Committee brainstormed representation for the county in upcoming housing listening sessions.
"The administration is coming up with what they like to tout is their first housing plan that's been done for Massachusetts, and this is one of a number of various initiatives that they've done over the last several months," Executive Director Thomas Matuszko said.
"But it seems like they are intent upon doing something and taking comments from the different regions across the state and then turning that into policy so here is our chance to really speak up on that."
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and members of the Housing Advisory Council will host multiple listening sessions around the Commonwealth to hear input on the Healey-Driscoll administration's five-year strategic statewide housing plan.
One will be held at Berkshire Community College on May 15 at 2 p.m.
One of Matuszko's biggest concerns is the overall age of the housing stock in Berkshire County.
"And that the various rehab programs that are out there are inadequate and they are too cumbersome to manipulate through," he explained.
"And so I think that there needs to be a greater emphasis not on new housing development only but housing retention and how we can do that in a meaningful way. It's going to be pretty important."
Non-commission member Andrew Groff, Williamstown's community developer director, added that the bureaucracies need to coordinate themselves and "stop creating well-intended policies like the new energy code that actually work against all of this other stuff."
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. proposed angled parking on North Street and was pleasantly surprised that the city responded with an in-depth study and new plans — even if they don't include angled parking.
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Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
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Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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