Letter: Dalton,Vote for Fiscal Responsibility & Board Accountability

To the Editor:

During the March 26 Finance Committee meeting, I was appalled by Chief Deanna Strout's snide remarks directed at the Committee after the Police Budget failed to pass. The Finance Committee, comprised of elected officials who volunteer their time and oversee "all municipal financial issues," should not be subjected to unprofessional behavior from a department head.

I commend the committee for scrutinizing the police budget, which has risen by 59 percent, or $600,000, since Chief Strout's appointment ($1.049M FY21 vs $1.665M 2026 projection). Salaries are the primary factor behind the increases. The town manager, in a deplorably poor effort, recently negotiated the patrol officers' new contract; however, Chief Strout has input, and the final approval rests with the Select Board. Furthermore, Chief Strout's initial salary in 2021 exceeded the final salary of Chief Coe, despite Chief Coe's years of experience and Chief Strout's lack of supervisory credentials.

Chief Strout's preferential treatment, due to her relationships with certain Select Board members, doesn't end there. As of the fall 2024, the Select Board Members have remained unchanged since the 2020 election. An independent investigation has not been conducted in response to the civil rights lawsuit filed in October 2024 against the town, the chief and former Sgt. Buzzella (Read the details here). The Select Board's lack of action contrasts sharply with its prior decisions regarding former Chief Coe, for whom it initiated two separate investigations. This raises serious questions about the board's consistency and fairness in oversight.

The chief has repeatedly justified rising expenses with references to "POST," accreditation, "Pittsfield PD got a 25 percent raise," Liability, and "Saves on the town insurance." However, a closer look reveals that much of this information is either inaccurate or taken out of context. While grants for new equipment are beneficial, many come with recurring costs that grow annually or the funds expire, shifting the financial burden onto the town. Her assertion that additional budget cuts would target community policing initiatives such as the DARE program, the comfort dog, and the crossing guard is tactical intimidation to get the budget passed. In the meantime, several financial concerns remain unaddressed: Why does each officer have an individual work cellphone rather than a shared one per cruiser? Why does the town require four certified drone operators, let alone one? Why is a new cruiser being requested when two functional vehicles remain parked behind the station? I could go on. Most critically, why do the Select Board and town manager continue to endorse these financial obligations?

Dalton residents, given the recent chain of events and the unjustifiable hike in the police budget, I strongly encourage you to vote "no" on both the police budget and the new cruiser during the annual town meeting on May 5. This is not a defund the police movement. This is about fiscal responsibility and accountability to the taxpayers of Dalton. Additionally, I urge you to vote for change in the town election on May 12. Let's take a stand and say, "enough is enough!"

Signed by Dalton residents Diane Lowe, Chris Furlong, Brian Landquist, Gregg Stefanik and Jody Stefanik
Dalton, Mass. 

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.