Dalton Fire District Annual Meeting May 12

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — Fire District voters will convene Tuesday to vote on several funding articles, including a borrowing request to purchase property on Flansburg Avenue.
 
The annual meeting warrant contains 25 articles, including an $895,232 operating budget for the water department and a $1,763,008 operating budget for the fire department and ambulance service for fiscal year 2027. 
 
The district is requesting voters authorize the borrowing up to $350,000 for the purchase and related costs associated with acquiring 30-32 Flansburg Ave. 
 
The district is also seeking to establish a stabilization fund, along with requests to transfer $287,205 in ambulance user fees and $90,000 in FY24 free cash into the account.
 
There is a request for the appropriation of $2,500 for 50 percent match for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the purchase of forest fighting equipment. 
 
Request to appropriate:
  • $6,000  for a copier machine 
  • $107,480 to pay the principal and interest of the ambulance loan
  • $356,429 to pay the principal and interest of district loans 
  • $12,999 for an audit for fiscal year 2026 for the period ending July 20 2026 
  • $20,000 for the administration reserve contingencies account
  • $50,000 for the water department’s contingencies account
  • $50,000 for the fire department reserve contingencies account 
  • $30,000 for a 5 percent match for the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
  • $32,800 for the timber maintenance account 
  • $6,126 for the Board of Water Commissioners compensation
  • $199,506 for district administration 
  • $17,500 for FY27 water bills account 
  • $11,000 for the town of Dalton support fee 
  • $10,000 for the town of Dalton dispatch fee 
  • $50,000 to fund Other Post Employment Benefits 
  • $3,5000 for FY27 GASB 45 report 
  • $10,000 for FY27 Municipal Financial Consulting fees 

Tags: annual meeting,   fire district,   town meeting 2026,   

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Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 
 
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
 
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 
 
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
 
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 
 
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
 
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
 
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