image description — Children try out the new ADA-compliant picnic table installed at the Dalton Public Library. There is no fourth seat to allow for people using mobility devices.

Dalton Installs Seven Accessible Picnic Tables

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:17PM / Wednesday, June 26, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Six of the seven tables have been installed; the seventh is planned for the Pine Grove Park pavilion. The tables were purchased through a grant.

DALTON, Mass. — The Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant picnic tables have been installed at Greenridge, Pinegrove and Chamberland parks and at the library.

During the ADA Committee meeting last week, ADA coordinator Alyssa Maschino informed the committee that the seven ADA picnic tables from Massachusetts Correctional Industries had been installed.

They were purchased using a $6,414.31 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant.

The round metal tables have three seats with one open spot for wheelchair and mobility device users. There are two at Greenridge Park, two at Chamberland Park and one at the library.

One table has been installed at Pine Grove in the play area. After anti-theft measures have been implemented, another one will be installed under the pavilion.

The application for the fiscal 2025 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant has been submitted so the town can invest in ADA-accessible counters for the assessors, clerk, and tax collectors' offices in Town Hall.

The committee will know if it has been approved for the grant in September or October. If the grant is approved the deadline to complete the project is close to the Massachusetts Correctional Industries program's 35-week queue.

Committee members agreed to reserve a spot in the queue before being approved for the grant to ensure the counters arrive before the deadline.

The cost of the counters does not include the installation. However, committee Chair Patrick Pettit said he and committee member John Curro know a local carpenter who may be able to install them.

To cover the cost of the installation, the committee would have to utilize some funds from the building and grounds budget. Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch is aware of this, Maschino said.

Massachusetts Correctional Industries sent plans for the counters, which were slightly off but could be resolved by moving the counter back. Pettit said this won't affect the price.

The committee originally proposed including ADA buttons for the assessors, clerk, and tax collectors' offices in the grant application, but the town did not receive a quote in time.

Tags: accessibility, ADA, picnic,

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Dalton Capital Planning Committee Takes First Steps

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:59AM / Friday, February 06, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The Capital Planning Committee held its first meeting last week; the first step in a yearlong process of developing a five-year capital plan.

The meeting kicked off with Thomas Irwin, a Finance Committee member, elected chairman, and Dennis Croughwell, a Planning Board member, elected vice chair.

The committee was established during the annual town meeting in May 2025. Irwin was instrumental in developing the Capital Planning Committee, which was modeled on the town of Lee's committee.

The goal is to produce a practical, prioritized five-year capital improvement plan that helps the Select Board and Finance Committee make informed budget and capital decisions.

According to Town Manager Eric Anderson, the committee is responsible for collecting and reviewing all capital plans that impact the town.

This includes plans from departments and agencies outside its direct authority, such as the water department, fire department, schools, and relevant Pittsfield agencies — especially those concerning sewer and wastewater treatment.

The committee's goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of capital needs and their budgetary impact across all sectors, and then prioritize these needs based on urgency.

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