Dalton Cable Advisory Commission Recommends Attorney

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Cable Advisory Commission continued its efforts in negotiating a new contract with Charter Communications during its meeting on Monday evening. 
 
During the meeting, the commissioners spoke to attorney William Solomon over the phone, during which they reiterated some of their priorities during the negotiation process. 
 
These priorities include adding to the contract a 5 percent gross revenue, capital funds, funding for fiber optic cables to enhance connections, and updated equipment needed to handle this upgrade. 
 
The commission voted to recommend hiring Solomon for the negotiations. Although Solomon does not usually charge less than $225 an hour he agreed to charge the town $200 an hour for his service because he enjoys the work. 
 
Solomon has worked for other cities and towns in Massachusetts on contracts and negotiations for cable contracts.  
 
The last time the town had a contract was in 1997 with Time Warner Cable, which was purchased by Spectrum in 2016. 
 
The 1997 contract requires that Time Warner Cable give the Dalton Community Cable Association 5 percent of the gross revenue, which is used as the operating budget 
 
In the new contract with Charter Communications, commissioners urged the need to retain this percentage.
 
Commissioners and station manager Michael Sinopoli urged the need for new equipment as the current equipment is outdated. They also requested that upgrading to high definition be included in the contract. 
 
The fact that the association is on its current coaxial cabling could be problematic because of the possible quality of the signal and high cost of upgrading, Solomon said. 
 
They would also like to have added to the contract a requirement of Charter Communications providing Dalton Community Cable Association a contact person to expedite troubleshooting. 
 
Solomon will be sending the legal services agreement draft to the town manager and commission Chair Rachel Branch. 
 
He is going to create an outline of the issues based on the commission's discussion and will also set up an additional two meetings to discuss their needs and interests. 

Tags: cable television,   spectrum,   

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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

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