DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board has decided to create a group that will help determine the fate of the 130-year-old Town Hall.

 

The ad hoc committee will consist of a few staff members, residents, and board members. The group would establish the needs that exist now and might exist in the future

 

Board member Daniel Esko volunteered to be part of the group, and Town Manager Tom Hutcheson will reach out to him via email.

 

It was determined that developing the third floor of the 1890 building would be a much more involved project than originally thought because the interior walls were put up in a way that is not load-bearing. 

 

The plasterboard would have to be removed and studs inserted and then the walls rebuilt. This could be done in phases so as not to disrupt anyone.

 

A new building was an "attractive" idea until officials looked at what it would cost, Hutcheson said. 

 

"Public safety buildings especially are extraordinarily expensive because of all the requirements," he said. 

 

The cost of renovating the historic structure would probably be less than what it would cost to build new. 

 

There are other alternatives that the committee can also look into such as existing buildings that could be bought and repurposed. 

 

"I think the important thing is to get all the options out on the table and say, what's the range? What are the dimensions of these options? Leasing instead of owning that kind of thing," Hutcheson said. 

 

"So part of the visioning process is where we have the future in front of us. We don't need to move quickly on anything, but we do need to move in a direction that we are confident we can continue in as we go on."

 

The Select Board accepted a grant that was awarded to the Police Department in the amount of $129,368 for fiscal 2023. 

 

The state monies come from the Body Worn Cameras Grant Program through the Executive Office Of Public Safety and Security's Office Of Grants and Research and funds the department's camera program for five years. 

 

The department has been testing cameras for a month now, using one vendor for four weeks and a second vendor at the end of November. 

 

Depending on the day, there are currently three to four officers wearing Axon Body cams. At the end of November, they will be testing a body-worn utility camera system, and the vendor will also install cameras in the cruisers.

 

The state requested that the department refrains from issuing any press release at this time so the administration can issue a statewide release.

 

The board also voted to accept the warrant for the general election which contains all the statewide offices, four referendum requests and several regional and county offices. The election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 8.

 

Board member John Boyle also pointed out that elections for School Committee members are on the ballot to fill two vacant spots.

 

The board approved the request for $4,000 for American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the additional cost of fiber optic to connect town offices. 

 

The town wanted to use a contractor on the state contract so requested quotes. Only one quote came in, and it was higher than anticipated - over $4,000 what the town had expected.

 

It had initially been $12,000 over but Hutcheson was able to negotiate the timeframe and get it lowered. This is in addition to paying a little over $3,000 as a match for a $60,000 grant.

 

"So, now we'll be contributing about $7,000 to a $60,000 grant, which is still a deal," he said. 

 

The town did accept this quote.

 

requet for quotes 2 companies wanted to use the state contrat only got one reply yes after neg it down 

 

• The board also discussed reinstating the Tree Stump Program after hearing "rumblings" from townspeople. 

 

The board mentioned the possibility of budgeting for the program next budget season in the Tree Warden budget as a line item. The program would reimburse residents half the cost of removing a tree stump that is in the town's right a way.

 

"Just to emphasize, the term 'town tree' really means a tree that's in the town right away. The homeowner owns those trees and can do with them whatever they want," Hutcheson said.

 

"They can cut them down for firewood if they want. They're not owned by the town, but they are in the town's right of way. And it's in the town's interest to keep that right of way clear.

 

• Highway, Cemetery, and Sewer Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall informed the board that the town was not awarded the One Stop Mass Grant for the Orchard Road project. 

 

They did schedule a debriefing so they know what they should do differently to apply for it again next year. They will also be looking at some other avenues through the fall and winter.

 

• It was approved at one of the town meetings to repave the Pinegrove basketball court. The project was put out for bid but did not receive any. Hall said he will put it out to rebid when people are looking for work over the winter with the hope to get it done this spring. 

 

• The transfer station is preparing for the new mattress recycling law that will take effect Tuesday, Nov. 1. 

 

The law states that transfer stations now recycle mattresses, box springs, and textiles. The transfer station now has two containers: one for recycled mattresses the other for non-recyclables.

 

Recyclable mattresses must be dry, non moldy, and cannot have been in contact with bed bugs. Casella is going to charge $150 per mattress that is contaminated and needs to be disposed of in the dumpster. 

 

To cover the cost of the new container, the town partnered with Northern Berkshire Solid Waste District for a grant. Dalton is a member of the district.

 

Hall said he is going to have to call Casella to remove anything that is currently in the container before Nov. 1 so the town does not get charged the $150.