Letter: Dear People of Dalton

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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.

 

 

 


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Lanesborough Faces Two Lawsuits Following ZBA Decisions

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town is facing two lawsuits following recent decisions made during heated Zoning Board of Appeals meetings. 
 
Tension has been high in town surrounding the language of some of its bylaws, specifically the sign and short-term renal bylaws. 
 
One case is following a determination made in January, during which the board voted to uphold the building inspector's finding that the sign attached to Lanesborough Local Country Store's vintage pickup truck violated the town's sign bylaws.
 
The second lawsuit followed the Zoning Board's February decision to uphold a cease-and-desist order against Second Drop Farm for short-term rentals. The board argued that, in the absence of specific bylaw regulations, such rentals are not permitted.
 
Both suits outline several points made by the applicants during their respective meetings. 
 
Lanesborough Local Country Store's lawsuit was filed on behalf of Kurt Hospot, as trustee of Normal K Trust, and store owner Tyler Purdy by attorney Anthony Doyle. 
 
It demands that the board's decision be overturned and that they be allowed to have the advertisement attached to the motor vehicle at its current location. 
 
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