Dalton Cable Advisory Commission Recommends Attorney

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:13AM / Tuesday, January 09, 2024Print Story | Email Story

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Commissioners and station manager Michael Sinopoli urged the need for new equipment as the current equipment is outdated.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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Dalton Board Continues Delay on Mobile Tiny Home Bylaw

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:15AM / Monday, January 05, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — For nearly two years, Amy Turnbull has been trying to amend the current Accessory Dwelling Units bylaws to include mobile tiny homes.

A movable tiny home is defined as a unit under 400 square feet that meets all of someone's daily needs, including sanitation, cooking, and other facilities, and which is also mobile.

The item has been on the Planning Board's agenda for nearly every meeting. However, every time it comes up, the board tables it citing too many unanswered questions that need to be addressed first.

"It's been two years. It's ridiculous how long you guys have sat on this. It's unacceptable in a housing crisis to go so long," Turnbull said during a heated Planning Board meeting in December after they voted to table the item again.

During the meeting she read from the town's Housing Needs Assessment which demonstrates how a little more than a quarter of the town's population are seniors, which is projected to increase to a third in 10 years.

"The vast majority of this age cohort are homeowners. A common trend seen throughout Berkshire County is seniors who want to "age in place" but due to physical limitations cannot maintain their homes, so they are forced to relocate," she read.

"Most homes in Dalton are three bedrooms, which is beyond the needs of most seniors. And,

there are no current rental options available for seniors who may want to relocate to a smaller, more manageable home. The financial burdens of homeownership have risen, denying such owners the likely ability to have financial security, especially if a senior has limited income based primarily on Social Security."

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