Dalton Select Board May Forgive Back Taxes for 463 High St.

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted last week to forgive about $8,000 in back taxes and fees for 463 High St. — but not without some stipulations.

If the receiver, Adam Oliveri, sends a letter of commitment to remain the receiver of the property, the board agrees to forgive the back taxes because it is under $10,000 and the costs are more than the assessed value of the property. 

A revised demolition quote of $52,975 is more than the land assessment of $46,400, so the waiving of the back taxes is the town's attempt to encourage the receiver not to back out. 

The single-family home has long-standing code violations that pose a serious risk to public health and is a safety hazard. 

It was considered abandoned by its owner and has been designated as unfit for human habitation for "violations of the State Sanitary Code including: lack of gas and electric utilities, unsafe roof structure and the property being filled with trash and debris blocking means of egress.'" 

An asbestos survey suggested by a Housing Court judge was not done because Oliveri was concerned about the safety of the architectural engineer.

"The architectural engineer would need to enter at their own risk," Health Agent Agnes Witkowski said in an email communication with environmental analyst emergency response asbestos inspector Joanne Flescher. 

Oliveri was appointed as the receiver of the property on Aug. 24, 2022, by the Attorney General's office. He has accumulated more than $15,000 in lawyer fees because he had to go back and forth to Housing Court and clean the outside of the property. 

Former Fire Chief James Peltier and building inspector visited the house last year and said they were concerned with the floors being unsafe, Witkowski said. 

It took many years to get this receiver and the Attorney General's Office said it was difficult and unlikely to get another one, she continued. If the receiver backs out the town will be responsible for the demolition. 

Based on the emails between the town and the receiver, it looks as though he has already made the decision to back out, Select Board Chair Joseph Diver said.  

Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson described the waiving of the back taxes is a "Hail Mary."

But the board was concerned that a decision like this would set a precedent.

But Hutcheson said since the circumstances are unusual and the nominal profit is less than the cost of  doing the demolition, that narrows the precedent to an acceptable policy.

"I feel like if it's a Hail Mary and it will set a precedent, maybe it is not the best move. There is no guarantee of the outcome," Select Board member Dan Esko said.

A letter of commitment made the decision acceptable to a majority of board members.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.