DALTON, Mass. — Nearly 75 percent of those voting in the Central Berkshire Regional School District on Saturday cast ballots to move the district forward in the process of renovating or replacing Wahconah Regional High School.
The question was whether the district should spend $850,000 on a feasibility study to look at options for the 56-year-old school.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will reimburse the district for between 50 and 54 percent of the cost of the feasibility study, according to district officials. The same reimbursement rate from MSBA would apply if and when the district decides to move forward with any building project.
On Saturday, 1,761 voters turned out to decide on the feasibility study, and the margin was 1,313-448 in favor.
The question passed by overwhelming margins in five of the district's seven towns.
Only Cummington voted against the study, by a margin of 48-22. In Peru, it was a dead heat, 65-65.
In each of the other towns, the question passed by at least a 2-to-1 ratio.
In Dalton, the district's largest town and home of the high school, the vote was 774-178.
In the other four towns where the question passed, the margins were: Becket, 108-38; Hinsdale, 171-83; Washington, 80-12; and Windsor, 93-24.
The Wahconah Building Project Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 4:30 to discuss next steps in the process.
During the feasibility stage, which is directed by the MSBA, districts engage with architects and engineers for up to 18 months to look at options for building, which officials say is deteriorating, outdated and inadequate to meet the needs of a 21st century high school.
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Dalton Hires Full Time Patrol Officer
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass.—The town has welcomed its newest patrol officer, Christopher Prior, during the Select Board meeting on Monday.
"I really appreciate you stepping up for this. It's an important job. You're the guys that have our backs in town. We really appreciate it," Select Board chair Robert Bishop said.
This is Prior's first position as a police officer, and he said he is excited to embark on this new journey.
He had always wanted to become a police officer, being inspired by television shows such as Walker, Texas Ranger. However, decided not to do it because of his young age and went on to work labor jobs.
However, after having four kids, he was motivated to make his childhood dream come true.
The Dalton Police Department seems like a family, and "I'm just happy to work with a great group of people," he said.
About a year and a half ago, the department was looking to fill another position, and as part of that process, applicants were required to complete an exam. Prior was one of the top candidates from an exam list.
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