DALTON, Mass. — Robert Bishop says he'll work to keep taxes down while supporting town department and employees if re-elected to the Select Board. 

 

Bishop is seeking a fourth three-year term on the board against challenger Robert Collins. 

 

"If re-elected, I will be both honored and humbled to serve the people of Dalton. I am not afraid to make tough decisions, and I have the experience to do this job in order to best support Dalton and its residents," he said.  

 

He also emphasized the need to pave the roads and obtain funding for Walker Brook because completing these projects will allow the town to work on other initiatives to further support the town. 

 

"The sidewalks are a mess. The roads are a mess. Most of our roads are in need of repair and it was a miracle that [Department of Public Works Superintendent Bud Hall] got that million-dollar grant for Orchard Road. That's a huge thing to us. And Walker Brook, we get that fixed, then we can think about what we want to do [with the field in next to the Senior Center,]" Bishop said. 

 

Bishop has served on numerous town boards and committees, including the Conservation Commission, Dalton Cable Advisory Committee, and Dalton Cable Commission. 

 

He has served on the Conservation Commission for more than 30 years and has been the chair for over 20. 

 

"[This experience] has allowed me to have great insight into how the town operates both on a day-to-day basis as well as the future goals of Dalton," Bishop said.  

 

Bishop also volunteers for local organizations. He has been involved with the Dalton Lions Club and previously was an assistant Scoutmaster and coach for the youth basketball and soccer teams in Troop 4. 

 

He worked for Crane & Co. for many years as a supervisor and manager and has a bachelor of science degree in business management and an associate's degree in environmental science. 

 

His volunteer, education, and work experience have allowed him to work with a variety of different people which is crucial for serving on a Select Board, he said. 

 

"You have to work with people. You can't have your own agenda. If you want to get your point across, you have to learn to get along with people. It's got to be a team effort, and I feel like I'm a very good team player," Bishop said.

 

Bishop has been a longtime resident of Dalton, moving here as a young boy in 1963. He and his wife, Kathryn, raised their children here, and he will watch as two of his children raise their children in town. 

 

He wants to keep Dalton a great place to not only raise a family but also start a local business. 

 

Businesses support Dalton, so the town has to support businesses because they create jobs, funding, and growth, he said.

 

"Town businesses is a pulse in Dalton, it's as simple as that. They keep this town going," said Bishop, pointing out as an example the Stationery Factory, an old vacant mill that would have just sat there but now creates jobs.

 

Currently, housing in Dalton is limited, with few options available, but Bishop is open to residents' suggestions on how it can expand these option 

 

"The town did vote to have six building lots at the former Old Dalton High School, but we are years away as we await the Walker Brook Improved drainage project," he said. 

 

One of the biggest issues the town is facing is rising costs, but the board has been working to keep them down using the $2 million it received in American Rescue Plan Act funding. This year, the Select Board also agreed not to receive a stipend increase.

 

"There are two types of costs: fixed costs such as the rising cost of health insurance, town insurance, and sewer costs; the sewer fees are set by the city of Pittsfield," Bishop said. 

 

"The other costs [are] control costs. These are costs such as salaries, maintenance costs, etc. These we have been holding down as much as possible." 

 

Sidewalks

 

Many of the town sidewalks are in need of repair or replacing and the cost of concrete is very high compared to blacktop, Bishop said. 

 

"It would be great if we could replace them with concrete, but in order to get the most for our money, I have to take the recommendation of our Highway Superintendent and go with the blacktop," he said. 

 

Bishop said at Monday's Select Board meeting that if town residents are interested in installing sidewalks on Orchard Road after its reconstruction, then they would have to use asphalt as concrete is too expensive. 

 

A citizen's petition on the town warrant requires that sidewalks be done in concrete. Although Bishop disagrees with amending the bylaw to mandate concrete for all future sidewalks, he said it is very important for the voters to decide what they want during the town meeting on May 6. 

 

Communication 

 

The town has made great strides in improving communication between the town and residents, Bishop said. 

 

Last year, the town implemented a pre-town meeting so residents could get answers to their questions before the annual town meeting. In addition, they are sending town newsletters and have been working to improve the town website.  

 

"When I was formerly [Select Board] chair, I had office hours, which allowed me to have great discussions with residents on many different issues," Bishop said. 

 

"I'm still open to meeting with anyone who has questions and I invite them to send me an email and to call me."