image description — Public safety personnel have set up a smashed car and victim near the entrance of Wahconah Regional High School to remind students of the danger of drunken driving.

Dalton Police Department Reminds Teens to Drive Safe

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, May 17, 2023Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Police and Fire Departments set up a mock staged accident on the lawn of Wahconah Regional High School on Wednesday morning to remind students to celebrate safely and the dangers of impaired driving.

The goal of the staging was to make the high schoolers think about the consequences of driving while impaired. The mock car was provided by Sayers' Auto Wrecking of Lanesborough.

"They never think it'll happen to them until it happens to them. So, sometimes just putting it out there ahead of the season with graduation, and parties, and prom," Police Chief Deanna Strout said.

With graduation and prom season upon us there is no doubt that there is cause for celebration but it is important to remember to celebrate safely.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people in the United States die every day in drunken-driving crashes.

"Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of fatal crashes involve an underage drinking driver," NHTSA said.

Responsible Behavior According to NHTSA:

If you are drinking, do not drive.
If you choose to drink, plan a safe ride home before you go to the party, whether you choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver, get a taxi, or call your parents.
If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home.
If you're hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
Seat belts are your best defense against impaired drivers so always wear one.
If you see an impaired driver, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone's life.

Tags: Wahconah,

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Pittsfield Proposes 2.64 Tax Rate Hike

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:34PM / Tuesday, November 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2027 is less than 40 cents per $1,000 valuation for residential properties and would increase the average property tax bill by about $146 per year.

On Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda is a request from the mayor and Board of Assessors to use a residential factor of .8245 at a shift of 1.75, resulting in a residential tax rate of $17.88 and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.95.

These matters are typically referred to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation. The proposed rates for residential and commercial are 38 cents and $1.05 more, respectively, from FY26.

The average residential home, valued at $316,792 in FY27, has increased by about $1,500 from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $5,664.24 in yearly taxes.

This is a 2.64 percent, or $145.88, increase.

The average commercial property worth $239,600 saw a $100 increase in value from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $9,092.82 in yearly taxes. This is a $255.27, or 2.89 percent, increase from the previous fiscal year.

The FY27 tax levy of $124,468,317 is a $5.3 million increase from the previous year, or 4.45 percent. There is about $388,000 in excess levy capacity, $2.3 million in new growth, and the levy limit is $124,856,412.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 11 single-family homes were added to Pittsfield's housing stock this fiscal year, increasing the city's total assessed value by $19,987,600 to $3,592,737,600.

The city lost five two-family homes in 2027, and that housing type decreased by $3.2 million in assessed value, now worth $384,620,400.

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