Letter: Dear People of Dalton

To the Editor:

Attendance at the Dalton annual town meeting, which was twice Dalton's previous best, was nothing short of amazing. This level of community involvement made clear that Dalton residents do care about their town and are committed to seeing that decisions are made with the best interests of the community in mind.

I was particularly pleased because such attendance increases the likelihood that the voting more closely aligns with the wishes of the majority of residents in Dalton and clear direction is every town leader's dream. So, I thank you all for coming, for listening, for asking questions, for being engaged, for staying the many hours needed, and for casting your valued votes. Your effort was appreciated, and I will do everything I can to support your engagement in the future.

On another important note I want to mention that people who know my business helps towns with underground piping issues have asked whether I will do work for the town of Dalton. I have shared with them, and I want everyone to know, that while I am a Dalton Select Board member or a member of Dalton's Stormwater Management Commission, I will not bid on any work for the Town of Dalton.

That said, people may not know that the Fire District, which includes the Water Department in Dalton, is also a municipality separate from the Town of Dalton. Since I have no elected or appointed position in the Fire District, I have no conflict of interest that would stop me from providing services for the Fire District. Therefore, if work is needed to repair Water Department broken water mains, I will bid on and do that work as I have for years.

In closing and looking forward to the future if elected, with the decisions you have made now in place, I will continue to do the things I have promised and will always keep an eye to serving the best interests of the people of Dalton. I will also continue to rely on all of you to provide feedback on how I am doing or to raise new issues as they arise. Your comments have been invaluable and will continue to be very appreciated. I also hope the passion present at the annual town meeting continues this coming Monday, May 12, and that once again an amazing number of people participate in the town elections to make the choices of the majority of Dalton residents very clear.

Robert collins
Dalton, Mass.

Colombian Artist Celebrates Immigrant Stories in New Pittsfield Mural

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:49AM / Saturday, October 24, 2026

Artist Laura Barrios explains the  inspiration of the mural, of immigrants building new lives in the Berkshires.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The walls along the Intermodal Center's train platform are a little more colorful following the unveiling of Let It Shine's third mural at that location, transforming a space once surrounded by bare concrete into a vibrant display of public art.

 

The unveiling on Thursday, marks the close of Let It Shine's 2026 outdoor public art season and the third year of its emerging artist program, said Mill Town Foundation Program Director Andy Wrba. 

 

Let It Shine's Emerging Artists Mentorship program was established in 2024 to support aspiring artists in the community by providing guidance, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to create large-scale public art.

 

"This mural, along with all the murals, as part of this emerging artist program, and even more broadly, all the murals that you see downtown throughout Pittsfield shows that we care about the cultural scene and we care about the creative people that live and work in our city," Wrba said.

 

The new mural, painted by Colombian artist Laura Barrios, celebrates immigrants who have built lives and found a sense of home in Berkshire County.

 

Barrios has been working on the piece for the last two months alongside mentor artist, Jesse Tobin McCauley. 

 

"It's a homage to the immigrants who work and make a home in the Berkshires … this is a very personal experience too because I am an immigrant," Barrios said in her speech.