DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission voted to purchase a used four-drawer fireproof cabinet from BBE Office Interiors during its meeting last week. 

 

Commissioner Thomas Synder said BBE had two four-drawer fireproof cabinets for $800 a piece.  

 

The commission decided to only purchase one of the cabinets, which is projected to cost about $1,200 including delivery because of the weight of the cabinet and its location on the second floor. 

 

Snyder said Town Accountant Sandra Albano had informed him that the town ordinarily purchases its fireproof cabinets from Staples and quoted the cost for a two-drawer for about $2,000. It is the commission's discretion from where it purchases the cabinet. 

 

During the previous meeting, the commission had approved purchasing a new two-drawer cabinet from BBE in the amount of $1,995 including delivery. The commission will reach out to Building Grounds Superintendent Patrick Pettit to see if he has already bought it and, if so, to cancel it. 

 

Various members of the commission expressed their concern on where they will place the four-drawer fireproof cabinet due to its heavy weight. 

 

They planned to ask if the Town Hall renovations had included reinforcing the floor so that it could safely hold the file cabinet. 

 

If that is not the case, the commissioners discussed alternative locations, like the basement but were hesitant because it has a lot of dirt, dust and is damp. 

 

In other news: 

 

The commission has $3011.30 remaining in the town account and $2,291.51 remaining in its donations account.  

 

The commission will explore the community's interest in renting space in the Stationary Factory to house a museum. 

 

The Studley Press quoted a price of $429 to print 10 copies of "Down Memory Lane," a compilation of historic newspaper columns by the Rev. Franklin L. "Cap" Couch.

 

The savings to have the commissioners put together spiral-bound versions would only be $65.50 so it would not be worth doing, one commissioner said. 

 

There is a question who owns the copyright is still being reviewed. Couch's son Robert Couch had expressed his willingness to help the commission but, as of last week, they have not heard back from him. The columns were printed in the 1970s in the long-defunct Dalton News Record.

 

North Adams resident Rachel I. Branch was present at the meeting because her fifth great-grandfather was a founding member of Dalton. 

 

Branch said she will reach out to Adams Specialty & Printing Co. owner Eugene Michalenko to see if he can print the book at a cheaper price.