'Rent a Backpack' Soon to Start at Dalton Library

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Tuesday, March 26, 2024Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — Hikers can soon rent a backpack full of beginner hiking material at the Dalton Free Public Library.

Berkshire Family Hikes founder Taylor Staubach said the endeavor will be launched with a hike of the Pines with the town's Open Space and Recreation Committee.

Staubach is still in the process of planning the event but hopes to have it on a weekend in mid-May.

The organization's Uncommon Paths Program was approved for a $648 grant through the Cultural Council in November. The program includes a backpack-borrowing initiative.

The endeavor will allow library card holders to rent a backpack at the Dalton Library at no cost. Hikers can rent the bag for one week.

The pack will be filled with materials a beginner hiker will find useful, including a first aid kit, binoculars, compass, and more. The library will have two bags available.

Although hikers can bring the bag to other hiking destinations in the area, Staubach wanted to find a way to incorporate the Pines into the program because of its accessibility.

"I feel like it serves that dual purpose to really raise the awareness of that property and its newness, and its inclusiveness for all mobilities," Staubach said.

"I also think I'm not opposed to people wanting to take it up to the Appalachian Trail or the Boulders either or even outside of Dalton, but it's really aimed at creating a community initiative to encourage people to get outdoors."

Tags: hiking,

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Dalton Officials Talk Meters Amidst Rate Increases

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:44AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The anticipated rise in the water and sewer rates has sparked discussion on whether implementing meters could help mitigate the costs for residents

The single-family water rate has been $160 since 2011, however, because of the need to improve the town's water main infrastructure, prices are anticipated to increase.

"The infrastructure in town is aged … we have a bunch of old mains in town that need to be changed out," said Water Superintendent Robert Benlien during a joint meeting with the Select Board.

The district had contracted Tighe and Bond to conduct an asset management study in 2022, where it was recommended that the district increase its water rates by 5 percent a year over five years, he said.

This should raise enough funds to take on the needed infrastructure projects, Benlien said, cautioning that the projections are a few years old so the cost estimates have increased since then.

"The AC mains, which were put in the '60s and '70s, have just about reached the end of their life expectancy. We've had a lot of problems down in Greenridge Park," which had an anticipated $4 million price tag, he said.

The main on Main Street, that goes from the Pittsfield/town line to North Street, and up through woods to the tank, was priced at $7.6 million in 2022, he said.

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