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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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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