DALTON, Mass. — The Fitch-Hoose House museum is in need of a paint job.
Historical Commission co-Chair Louisa M. Horth said at Wednesday's meeting that the paint is starting to peel and weather, and would need to be repainted this year or next year.
Commissioners are unsure how much the project would cost but will approach Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson to inquire on the best way to get funding for the project.
In 2014, the Historical Commission got a grant from the "Promoting Community Development and Tourism in Central and Western Massachusetts" program in the amount of $180,000 grant to restore the 1840s-era house.
The back addition with its kitchen and bedroom had been taken off several years ago because of its condition but was added back on during the restoration.
Over the years, the home has gone through a variety of changes, from the color to the now gone vinyl siding and the commission has worked to make the exterior as historically accurate as possible.
In 2019, the Fitch-Hoose House's restoration received the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award.
In other news:
• The commission announced that the historic home has had a lot of visitors this summer.
• The commission approved another donation of $500 to First Congregational Church to demonstrate appreciation for allowing it to store items there at no cost.
This is the third time the commission approved a donation to the church, donating a total of $1,500 using its Friends account.
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Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives.
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday.
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner.
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible.
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center.
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Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, and a little bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.
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