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The Maloneys pose with first responders who came to their aid when Charliegh Mae was born on Dec. 28.
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Fire Chief James Peltier pins members of the Fire Department for their efforts on behalf of the Maloney family.

Dalton First Responders Recognized for Aiding Mother and Newborn

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Brittany and Michael Maloney with William, 2, and Charliegh, born Dec. 28 at the Windsor/Dalton town line.
DALTON, Mass. — Brittany Maloney woke with contractions at 6 a.m., three days after Christmas.
 
She tried to relieve her discomfort with a yoga ball — but that apparently hastened the process. Soon her water broke so the  family set out from their Savoy home to Berkshire Medical Center. 
 
They only made it as far as the Windsor/Dalton line when Charliegh Mae Maloney decided it was time to enter the world. 
 
Although Michael Maloney had some emergency training as a military police officer in the Marines, this situation was like no other, he said. 
 
Brittany gave a "battle cry," he said, and then he caught Charliegh in his arm and kept on driving. 
 
He called dispatch to request a police detail to get to the Pittsfield hospital. Dispatch urged Michael to pull over and wait for emergency personnel. But Brittany had had complications when 2-year-old William was born and, concerned about his wife's safety, Michael said that was not an option but agreed to drive to the fire station.
 
Firefighters had him pull his pickup inside and then assessed the well-being of the mother and child, clearing the baby's airways, cutting the cord, taking vitals, and maintaining the mother's blood loss. 
 
The ambulance was out on a call. For 30 minutes, Michael sat at the station holding his baby girl as firefighters attended to Brittany until she could be transferred to the hospital. 
 
Their teamwork and response to the Maloneys' emergency was recognized at Monday's Select Board meeting.
 
"This group of responders had to do this with supplies gathered from the supply locker as well as other vehicle first aid kits. This is where the teamwork of all the responders came into effect," Fire Chief James Peltier said.
 
"I would like to applaud all of them for the communications division, Police Department, Fire Department as well as the fire explorers on the scene. The saying, 'it takes a village' was very true that day." 
 
He pinned each of the first responders with a "stork pin" commemorating their work. 
 
The couple praised the first responders and are now able to laugh about Brittany's initial worries about leaking amniotic fluid on the truck's seats that had her insisting on changing pants as Michael was trying to get her out the door. 
 
Luckily the Carhartt seat covers protected the seats and the couple joked how it would be a good advertisement for the company.  
 
They are a little disappointed midwife Patricia Giardina couldn't deliver their second child before her retirement, or be able to video the birth. They've asked for a recording of the 911 call as a remembrance. 
 
Brittany knew Charleigh was due on Dec. 28 but didn't know she was having a girl. Michael knew but kept quiet because Brittany wanted to be surprised.
 
"I was the only one who knew. I wouldn't even tell a random  person," Michael said. "Everybody tried to get me to tell someone but I wouldn't, so I knew at 20 weeks." 

Tags: recognition event,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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