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Dalton Holds Community Sessions on Public Safety Building

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — Since last August, public officials said the basement of the Town Hall is inadequate to house its police station, and now the town will demonstrate why through several community outreach initiatives. 
 

QR Code to Public Safety Facility Survey. More information at the bottom of the article. 
From tours of the deteriorating precinct, information sessions with the Public Safety Facility Committee, the development of a Facebook page, to a survey, the town is engaging the community to keep them informed of the situation and develop a solution. 
 
During numerous meetings, Police Chief Deanna Strout demonstrated the decaying condition of the current location of the department including mold, mice, water damage, plumbing issues, damage to cells, and more. 
 
For the last year, the committee has been coordinating the department, communication center, and town to determine the future of the department and communication center.  
 
Listed on the town website is a timeline and links to several documents including the indoor air quality report, air quality assessment, sewage backup, and the draft space needs assessment by the town’s consultant Jacunski Humes Architects LLC. 
 
Throughout August, the Public Safety Facility Committee will hold information sessions to provide community members with an update on its progress thus far. The first was held last Wednesday and the next on Monday at 1 p.m.
 
These sessions will include presentations on the current state of the department, a question-and-answer session, and a review of prior assessments of the station and possibilities for the future. 
 
Dates for the information sessions are as follows: 
  • Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Dalton Senior Center
  • Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Dalton Library
  • Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. at the Dalton Senior Center

Community members can see first hand the state of the police station during tours of the precinct which will take place on: Tuesday, Aug. 19, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 23, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m

Additionally, citizens are asked to complete a survey, which will help the town understand residents’ priorities surrounding the proposed facility. 

The brief survey includes questions that rate the department and communication center’s level of service and explores residents' understanding of the station's needs. 
 
It also requests what information they require to make an informed decision about the proposed facility, their level of support for the facility, and the reasons behind their opinions.


Tags: community forum,   Dalton Police,   police station,   

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Pittsfield Airport Solar Panels to Generate Millions

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Airport Manager Anita Akor says the project represents a commitment to sustainability and points to the airports continued growth.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Solar panels at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport will generate millions over the next two decades. 

On Monday, the ceremonial switch was flipped on 17.7 acres of solar fields at the airport on Tamarack Road. This project has been in progress since 2016, and the panels have been active since December. 

"Through the agreement we negotiated, this project will generate approximately $3 million over the next 20 years from the lease and taxes that will be collected," Mayor Peter Marchetti said. 

"Even though we have not seen a full year of data for power generation, we anticipate these panels will generate approximately six megawatts of electricity that will be added to the grid. This new renewable source of power will also help the city offset our electricity costs. From what we are seeing so far, trends seem to be producing positive results, and we are hopeful that this will continue." 

Officials including state Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier, District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, and a representative from U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office joined the event. Afterwards, a cake with the airport's colors was cut.

For Airport Manager Anita Akor, this project represents a commitment to sustainability, responsible use of public resources, and the facility's continued growth and success. 

"The completion of the solar installation reflects what can be accomplished through partnership, planning, and a shared vision of the airport," she said. 

Pittsfield residences and businesses can also participate in the municipal aggregation program, which allows communities to combine the purchasing power of residents and businesses to have an alternative electricity supplier at a locked-in rate. 

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