Heating Oil Leaks Into Dalton Brook

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — A residential oil tank at Wahconah Falls Mobile Home Park leaked heating oil, which entered Wahconah Falls Brook on March 10. 
 
Approximately 200 to 250 gallons of heating oil leaked from the tank, Fire Chief Chris Cachat said. 
 
The department responded to the report of gasoline in the brook on Cleveland Road at 6:43 p.m. Wahconah Falls Brook flows underneath the roadway.
 
Cachat, squad one, engine three, and utility 11 arrived on the scene where they detected "a strong odor of fuel and upon inspection of the brook a sheen was visible." 
 
The crews were directed to start working their way upstream to search for residential and commercial sites along the brook. The state Department of Environmental Protection was also requested, Cachat said. 
 
The leak was found and the area contained and firefighters remained onsite until the DEP representative arrived on scene
 
Upon the arrival of the DEP, the incident was turned over to them, and the department cleared the scene at 9:30 p.m. The DEP is currently managing the situation.
 
The DEP has been contacted for comment.

Tags: contamination,   DEP,   

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Dalton Bridge Eyed for $2.5M Reconstruction

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's lowest-rated bridge is slated for an approximately $2.5 million reconstruction project.
 
During the Select Board meeting on Monday it was announced that the town has been awarded a $1 million grant through the Municipal Small Bridge Program for the bridge on Grange Hall Road over Barton Brook, located near Patricia Avenue. 
 
The town's engineers estimated the total cost to complete is $2,335,000, however these estimates tend to run a little high, Town Manager Eric Anderson said. 
 
"It's an expensive project, there is no question but it does have to be done. That is the culvert the town has with the lowest rating in town," he said. 
 
If the town were to decide to delay the project, which would revoke its eligibility for the state grant, then it would be on the hook for the total cost.
 
When the town agrees to the grant, it is agreeing to this bridge project, Anderson said. 
 
According to the state website, the short span bridge, built in 1938, was inspected on July 20, 2025 and rated as structurally deficient. 
 
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