Dalton Green Committee Hosts Climate Solutions Fair Sunday

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DALTON, Mass.—The town invites community members to its Climate Solutions Fair at the Stationery Factory this Sunday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m. 
 
Dalton’s environmental consultant, Blue Strike Environmental, will headline the event with a multi-media presentation on the key components of the Climate Action Plan, followed by an information session for community members. 
 
The Green Committee members will also present their draft climate action plan survey. The event will feature survey workshops, during which attendees can provide input on ways to improve the survey.
 
The community survey is part of a broad community engagement strategy to ensure all voices are heard and have access to the resources they need. 
 
The event will also delve into the benefits of electric vehicle ownership and solar power for homes, review state and federal incentives to increase home energy efficiency, and have other environmental conversations. 
 
“The comprehensive outreach survey will help us provide a plan securely founded on the actual wishes and priorities of its residents,” said Bob Bishop, Select Board chair.
 
“I am very pleased with how the Green Dalton Committee is approaching this important task.”  
 
Dalton became a designated Green Community in 2013. It is now working with its environmental consultant, Blue Strike Environmental, and community stakeholders to create a climate action plan. 
 
The plan aims to mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. It will provide a roadmap for the town’s climate action over the next eight to 12 years and align with the state's mandate to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 
 
“Our focus over the coming months is ensuring the plan includes collaboration with community stakeholders, social equity considerations, and ongoing community education,” Green Committee chair David Wasielewski said. 
 
Senator Paul Mark commended Dalton for committing to develop a Climate Action Plan to achieve the state’s climate goals. 
 
The state legislature passed the Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy in 2022. 
 
The goal is to achieve net zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2050, with interim targets in 2030 and 2040. 
 
Dalton is taking the necessary steps to put this ambitious goal within reach,” Mark said.  
 
“I applaud Dalton for seeking ways to reduce Greenhouse  Gas emissions to improve public health and protect the environment for the next generation,” state representative Smitty Pignatelli added. 
 
The fair’s schedule and additional details, including survey workshop times, are here. 
 
More information about Dalton’s Climate Action plan and the Oct. 13th event here
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Dalton Police Station OK for Zoning, Once Location Is Chosen

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The proposed police station is eligible for a special permit in all zones except a Planned Industrial Development zone, following a public hearing and board consensus. 
 
The town has been exploring solutions to address the station's needs, forming the Public Safety Advisory Committee in July 2024 after reports highlighted the department's deteriorating condition.
 
Now more than a year into the initiative, progress seems to have stalled because of conflicting opinions on where the proposed station would go, Police Chief Deanna Strout said during previous meetings. 
 
The sticking points have been cost and location, which has had the advisory committee in gridlock for months. Several public officials have expressed their desire to have a new station constructed on town-owned land for the cost savings. 
 
However, the only land sizable to fit the facility is next to the Senior Center, but some neighbors have conveyed their disapproval for that space, which had been earmarked for affordable housing.
 
So, the committee sought guidance from the Zoning Board but left with few answers. 
 
"We wanted to have a discussion with you as a board about where you would consider this and what your thoughts as a board were specifically,"  Town Manager Eric Anderson said to the board at the Tuesday meeting. 
 
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