Dalton Select Board Reorganizes

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted Robert Bishop as chair and Dan Esko as vice chair during its meeting last week. 
 
The motion was made by Marc Strout and seconded by Bishop to nominate Esko as vice chair. 
 
Esko has been on the board for four years and has served as vice chair for one year thus far. 
 
He said later that he is feeling very positive about the future and is happy to continue serving as vice chair.
 
"Having served as chair of the Planning Board for several years previously, I am comfortable in a board leadership role and can run meetings competently and efficiently in the absence of the chair," he said in a follow-up.
 
"I am looking forward to continuing my work on the Select Board with my colleagues to address the town’s current and future needs in collaboration with the Town Manager, department heads, and other boards and committees." 
 
The motion was made by Strout and seconded by Joesph Diver to nominate Bishop for chair. The decision passed unanimously. 
 
Bishop is in his fourth three-year term on the board and was recently re-elected. He has served on the Conservation Commission for more than 30 years and had been the chair for more than 20. 
 
"I am looking forward to working with the Board on present and future items [and] projects," Bishop said in a follow-up. 
 
Strout thanked Diver for his leadership as chair over the last couple of years. "He did an excellent job leading us over the past couple of years." Esko and Bishop agreed. 
 
"We've had some challenging and difficult situations that have come before the board. Some tough decisions in [Diver’s] leadership was very instrumental in guiding us through and helping us get to this point, so thank you," Esko said. 
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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

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