MassDEP Air Quality Advisory Continues

08:24AM / Thursday, June 20, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Due to elevated levels of ozone expected Thursday, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued an air quality alert effective 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. on June 20, 2024, in nine counties across Massachusetts.

This includes Berkshire County.

Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to air pollution.

MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

More details are available, including forecasts and real-time data, at MassDEP's MassAir Online site.

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Dalton Prepares for Challenging Budget Season

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Friday, January 16, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — As the town embarks on a challenging budget season, the new town manager has already put forth cost mitigation options.

It has been demonstrated by both the Finance Committee and Town Manager Eric Anderson that this budget season will be full of obstacles and tough decisions.

During the Select Board meeting on Monday night, Anderson explained that the town is going to be very close to its levy limit with the increases in the school district budget, health-care costs, and cost-of-living increase for employees.

Health insurance costs are projected to increase roughly 16 to 18 percent for next year, which will be a "big hit" to the town, he said.

The town currently pays about $1.2 million total for employee health insurance. Employees are responsible for around 27 percent of the health-care costs, Anderson said.

The board approved setting the cost of living adjustment for town employees to 3 percent for fiscal year 2027.

The board felt that the 2 percent COLA combined with the 1.75 percent step or grade increase was in line with the consumer price index of about 2.7 percent.

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