DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Health voted to postpone a demolition permit for 77 High St. during its meeting Monday evening.
The 1950s single-family home was condemned last fall after the building department determined it was unsafe because of collapsed flooring in certain areas. It is considered a public health and safety hazard.
The house is currently vacant but a lot items are still inside. An asbestos surveyor has gone into the building to attempt to complete an inspection but could not unless it was cleaned out so they can see all the walls and floors.
Officials have been attempting to limit the amount of time people are in the house unless it is necessary, Town Counsel Nicole Costanzo said.
She informed the board it had two options. One, it could wait until the asbestos survey is completed to approve the demolition permit, or two, approve the permit without a survey and with the stipulation that the homeowner is informed that they must comply with the state Department of Environmental Protections regulations.
Under the latter option, it would be up to the DEP to enforce these regulations, not the town.
However, because it is unclear if there is any asbestos, the board voted in favor of postponing the permit until the survey is complete to ensure public safety in this residential area.
If an inspection is unable to be completed, the inspector or contractor will have to provide a certification to demonstrate how that material will be treated in compliance with DEP regulations.
In other news, the board voted to:
• Set an annual fee of $50 for establishments who wish to have a commissary kitchen.
Prior to this, the town did not have a billing option for a commissary kitchen but the Stationary Factory reached out to them expressing its interest in having one.
The kitchen would only be used for warming meals cooked in caterers' commercial kitchens.
The building and fire inspector certified this as long as they are bringing the meals in and warming the meal, not cooking.
• Require cottage residential kitchens to get a manager certification. A cottage or retail residential kitchen is a home kitchen used to make retail items such as a home bakery.
• Implement a $100 annual mobile home trailer park fee to be paid for by the owner after finding out that other towns also have this fee.
• Apply for a Berkshire Public Health Alliance grant in the amount of $3,500 for a noise level machine, Safe Serve trainings, equipment and supplies, and other education material such as posters.
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Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation.
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School.
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks.
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan.
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about.
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said.
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom.
Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more
Amy Schirmer was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for creating a weekly therapeutic art class at the George B. Crane Center to help those in recovery from substance use. click for more