New Designs for Lanesborough Police/Ambulance Building Reviewed

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Police Station Committee reviewed a new design proposal for the combined police and ambulance facility, with hopes that residents can vote on the project at the special town meeting in January. 

Architect Brian Humes of Jackumsci & Humes created the new design to support police and ambulance services in the same space. Along with the design, Humes created a needs assessment for the building, which details the space and other needs for the building. 

"I'm really excited about the layout of it, and especially the shared spaces. I think it will make it easier to sell to the community," said committee Chair Kristen Tool at Tuesday meeting. A cost assessment for the building, she said, should come from Humes soon.

About a third of the just under 7,500 square feet design is dedicated to the Police Department, while around 1,600 square feet would be for ambulance services and more than 1,300 square feet consists of shared space between the two departments in an effort to reduce costs. This space includes a shared kitchen, copy room, training room, custodial and mechanical rooms, as well as a shared public space.  

The committee members had a significant discussion about the square footage, parking and other possibilities to keep costs down for the project. Tool reiterated that the group will have to do major work finding grant and other funding sources for the project to keep costs low for taxpayers.

"It's a big conversation. It's going to be a big cost," she said. "... It's our responsibility to compile the information to the best of our ability and present it to the taxpayers to a decision. And each of us gets our vote, just like every other taxpayer who shows up at that special meeting." 

Police Chief Robert Derksen said Lanesborough is not the only community in the Berkshires working on a public safety building project, referencing projects in Lee and Williamstown. 

"We're gonna do it and save everywhere we possibly can," he said. "And the bottom line is, if the residents don't approve it, they don't approve it. 

Several committee members recognized Humes and thanked him for the work he has done with the town and the committee over the lifetime of this project. Humes and his architectural firm have created all three proposed designs for a new station so far.

"As fiscally responsible as we have been, he has also been," said Emergency Management Services Director Jennifer Weber. "He really has taken a lot of that stuff into consideration." 

The committee is still waiting on a final parcel for the property in addition to a $150,000 gift from the Baker Hill Road District, which requires a taxpayer vote to accept. Tool said the special town meeting for the project will likely include separate warrant articles for the gift, the property and the project itself.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.