Dalton Finalizes Town Manager Contract

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Wednesday, October 29, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Eric Anderson

DALTON, Mass. — Town Manager Eric Anderson will start in his new role Nov. 17.

It was announced during the Select Board meeting on Monday that the town had successfully negotiated a three-year contract with Anderson.

"The contract negotiations were as smooth as possibly one could imagine, and Eric Anderson was here yesterday for the signing of the contract," interim Town Manager Henry "Terry" Williams told iBerksires.

"I met with him for a number of hours yesterday, and he and I are looking forward to his arrival, and it appears to me as though he's a perfect fit for the town going forward."

Earlier in October, Williams' contract was extended through Nov. 21 to aid in Anderson's onboarding to facilitate a smooth transition.

Anderson's first year salary is set at $142,500, Williams said. During the search, the Select Board approved a salary range of $135,000 to $155,000 to attract more applicants in a competitive market for town managers in Western Massachusetts.

When Thomas Hutcheson announced his retirement as town manager earlier this year, the board planned ahead, establishing a flexible town manager budget to cover the interim town manager's compensation and onboarding for the new town manager, Williams said

If there are any shortages the town can cover it with reserve fund or interdepartmental transfers, he said.

Anderson was hired for the town manager position in September, following interviews with the three finalists — Anderson, Lisa Blackmer, and Jonathan Elwell.

The board emphasized that all the candidates were highly qualified; however, Anderson's well-researched answers and prior experience that aligned with the town's issues stood out.

Anderson has six years of experience as the town administrator of his hometown, Andover, Conn., which has a population of about 3,200 residents and a select board form of government.

He said he had experience dealing with circumstances similar to what Dalton is currently facing, including the concerns over Berkshire Concrete's mining operations and the discussions surrounding a new police facility stemming from the current facility's deteriorating condition.

More information on Anderson here.

Tags: town administrator,

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Neal's Office Among Those Targeted by Suspicious Mailings

Staff Reports12:28PM / Wednesday, October 21, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was among congressmen apparently targeted by someone mailing suspicious envelopes.

According to a report in The Berkshire Eagle, an envelope containing a powdery substance was discovered by postal inspectors before reaching Neal's Pittsfield office in the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building.

Nearly 40 members of Congress have received envelopes containing white powder, according to The Guardian. More than 100 letters are thought to be in the U.S. mail system and the FBI, Capitol Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were investigating the mailings that have also been sent to elections officials in various states.

The mailings have been sent to both Republican and Democrat officeholders and several congressional district offices had to be evacuated in the last week or so after envelopes were opened in them.

Earlier today, my Bronx district office received an envelope delivered by mail that contained a suspicious substance. Local law enforcement responded swiftly and, after investigating, determined the substance to be non-hazardous.
— Rep. Ritchie Torres (@repritchie.bsky.social) October 16, 2026 at 3:10 PM

The Guardian reported that the FBI is warning officials to look for envelopes processed through a north Texas center and that carry a postmark or stamp stating "Thinking of You."

The Eagle states that Neal's office was alerted on Saturday that it might be getting a suspicious package; inspectors seized the envelope at the Fenn Street post office on Monday.

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