DALTON, Mass. – The Community Recreation Association last week dedicated the newly renovated gym floor in honor of Dan McMahon.
The CRA’s program director for more than three decades was recognized in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 60 people on Friday night, just before the start of the youth basketball season.
“[McMahon] has created programs that have had a lasting impact, including the Mark Galusha Baseball League, the Just for Kicks Soccer Tournament …, adaptive programs, Just Play Summer Basketball and countless others that continue to define the CRA today,” CRA Director of Operations Dustin Belcher said at the ceremony.
“Dan has always led with his heart, putting the families and kids we serve first. He has spent thousands of hours in this building running the Leaders Club, drop-in after school programs, tutoring and family events. The gymnasium has been at the center of his work, whether teaching gym class at St. Agnes Academy, hosting Halloween fun Houses, penny carnivals, summer camp, snow days or school vacation camps. Every child and family who uses this space going forward will feel the impact of his dedication to the community.”
McMahon did the honors in cutting the ribbon to formally open the court. He was joined by his family at the ceremony.
“Families need to know they can rely on the people guiding these programs, and Dan provided trusted, steady leadership for decades” Belcher said. “It is because of his dedication that the CRA has been able to grow, thrive and serve so many families.”
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Dalton Police Station OK for Zoning, Once Location Is Chosen
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The proposed police station is eligible for a special permit in all zones except a Planned Industrial Development zone, following a public hearing and board consensus.
The town has been exploring solutions to address the station's needs, forming the Public Safety Advisory Committee in July 2024 after reports highlighted the department's deteriorating condition.
Now more than a year into the initiative, progress seems to have stalled because of conflicting opinions on where the proposed station would go, Police Chief Deanna Strout said during previous meetings.
The sticking points have been cost and location, which has had the advisory committee in gridlock for months. Several public officials have expressed their desire to have a new station constructed on town-owned land for the cost savings.
However, the only land sizable to fit the facility is next to the Senior Center, but some neighbors have conveyed their disapproval for that space, which had been earmarked for affordable housing.
So, the committee sought guidance from the Zoning Board but left with few answers.
"We wanted to have a discussion with you as a board about where you would consider this and what your thoughts as a board were specifically," Town Manager Eric Anderson said to the board at the Tuesday meeting.
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The proposed police station is eligible for a special permit in all zones except a Planned Industrial Development zone, following a public hearing and board consensus. click for more