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The fire district's 2016 International ambulance, above, and its 2019 Ford are being traded in for a new Ford ambulance.

Dalton Fire District Anticipating February Arrival for Ambulance

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District is anticipating the arrival of its new ambulance in February. 
 
During a special fire district meeting in December, voters approved borrowing up to $350,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance and any related costs. 
 
The Fire Department has two ambulances: 2019 Ford 550 and a 2016 International. It had been demonstrated during several meetings that both vehicles need to be replaced because of their deteriorating condition. 
 
The district will be trading in both vehicles. The Ford has a trade-in value of $30,000 and the International $2,500. 
 
The new apparatus is an F450 series, a pickup-style, two-wheel drive, so it would have a larger motor and transmission, heavier-duty brakes, and be an all-around heavy-duty vehicle. The anticipated cost is about $345,000 to be rolled out as an Advanced Life Support unit.
 
The district had been discussing investing in a new truck but expected a three-year turnaround. But unanticipated opportunity came up — a buyer had backed out of a vehicle order at the last minute, so an ambulance became available early. 
 
The district got a loan from Greenfield Co-op with a 4.75 interest rate. This loan requires the distinct to take a new loan out every year, so they hope the rate goes down next year, District Clerk and Treasurer Melanie Roucoulet said 
 
The funding for the ambulance is expected at the end of January said Charlotte Crane, fire prevention officer and emergency medical technician, during the Fire District meeting on Tuesday. 
 
The district purchased the ambulance from Allegiance Fire and Rescue. The cost came to about  $338,000, including the decals and the transferring of the radios and power load stretcher system. 
 
The district hopes to have the ambulance paid off in four to five years, Roucoulet said. 
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Lanesborough Select Board Votes to Expand Tow List

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Select Board members want to even the playing field for towing.

In a 2-1 vote with Chair Michael Murphy in opposition, the board last week voted to allow businesses outside of Lanesborough to be on the towing list. Current towers will work with the town on a formal policy, as there is currently not one.

"Frankly, I think it's premature," Murphy said about the motion made by Select Board member Deborah Maynard.

Two years ago, Police Chief Robert Derksen was contacted by a local tow agency that wanted to be put on the rotation. He brought a sample policy to the board in March 2023 and returned with the same one at Monday's meeting.

"I think the kind of consensus at that time with the Select Board at that time was that we would limit it to businesses in the town of Lanesborough for tow agencies," he said.

"However, it was also mentioned that we really should have a written — it's almost like a procurement policy as far as vendors. In this case, tow agencies."

Select Board member Timothy Sorrell said it was "kind of hanging in the air" and wanted to revisit it.  The job is done by two town companies: Village Truck Sales and Sayers' Auto Wrecking.

"It seems to be the tow service is the only monopoly in town," he said. "That's kind of what we question is, why is that the only one where other out-of-town services aren't allowed to do business here?"

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