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.

Pittsfield Council Says 'Yes' to Soccer at Crane Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:35AM / Saturday, June 13, 2026

The pitch will have the logos of the city and the US. and Massachusetts soccer associations. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is gladly accepting a "mini-pitch" from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring games back to Crane Park. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer has been working with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one of which will be at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The City Council accepted the gift on Tuesday during its regular meeting. 

A mini pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates. It has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together; installed on the existing inline hockey court. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham said he has gone door to door speaking with nearby residents, and they are "really excited" about the upgrade. He also sees it as a great addition. 

"They say that nobody really uses the court a ton now, and they are excited to see kids back on there playing," he said. 

Decades ago, the Crane Park facility was a wading pool. It closed in 1980, and before the turn of the century, it was filled in and marked for hockey. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained that the wooden border around the rink is showing its age, has been vandalized and tagged, and the facility is seeing a "real decline" in use. 

"This would seem to be an appropriate spot for us to remove the board system that's in place and install the mini pitch system through this grant," he said.