Comments Sought on Siting Energy Facilities

The state Energy Siting Facilities Board has posted a Notice of Inquiry and a Notice of Inquiry and Request for Comments regarding the siting of energy facilities, including considerations of environmental justice. Please see these links for the original Notice of Inquiry and the Notice of Inquiry and Request for Comments (due by 5 p.m. on September 10).

Leaf and Brush Pile Open Saturday 

As staffing issues begin to resolve for the Highway Department, the Leaf and Brush Pile will be open this Saturday, 7/24, and next, 7/31, from 9 A.M.-1 P.M. We hope to resume full hours within the next month. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience.

Green Infrastructure Plan created for Dalton

The draft Green Infrastructure Plan created for Dalton can be downloaded at this dropbox link . In it you will find the final conceptual designs for the sites presented at the June 21 Select Board meeting – namely, Craneville Elementary, Greenridge Park, and the daylighting and bioretention basins of Walker Brook at the Senior Center/Former school site. Comments are welcome by e-mailing Courteny Morehouse at cmorehouse@berkshireplanning.org by July 12 or by attending the Select Board meeting July 12 at 7 p.m.

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Dalton Intersection Improvements Project 

Dear Stakeholder,

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has published an informational website – www.tiny.cc/DaltonIntersection – to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the Intersection Improvements Project at Routes 8 and 9 (Main Street) at South Street and at West Housatonic Street in Dalton, MA.

The goals of the project include improving safety, operations, and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations for all users. An above-average crash history at the Project location supports the need for this Project. The Project website will show the alternatives being reviewed for these intersections. The proposed project alternatives consist of either (1) constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Main Street at South Street and signal improvements at the intersection of Main Street at West Housatonic Street or (2) implementing signal improvements at both Project intersections. Regardless of which alternative is ultimately selected, this Project will include the installation of MUTCD-compliant signs and pavement markings, improved intersection geometry, and the construction of ADA-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps with detectable warning panels throughout the Project limits.

Your input is highly valued and will be strongly considered when MassDOT selects a preferred alternative. We are still in the early stages of the design process, and construction will not commence until 2024. The informational website is accessible at www.tiny.cc/DaltonIntersection and will be available until at least Friday, June 11, 2021. All views and comments submitted in response to the informational website will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. Additionally, a Design Public Hearing will be held within one year once the plans are further refined to receive any additional input from you.

Thank you in advance for your interest in MassDOT Projects. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the MassDOT Project Manager, Jon Freeman, at Jonathan.e.freeman@dot.state.ma.us.

The Town of Dalton’s Community Choice Power Supply Program Consumer Notification 

The Town of Dalton is pleased to announce that Dynegy Energy Services has been selected as the supplier for its Community Choice Power Supply Program. The Town’s new aggregation rate is fixed at $0.09603 per kWh for all rate classes for 36 months (January 2021 to January 2024). 23% of the power supply will be offset with MA Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from New England renewable sources, which is 5% above the current state mandate of 18% for these renewables. Eversource’s Residential Basic Service rate is fixed at $0.10795 per kWh from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will be switched to Dynegy Energy Services as of the January 2021 meter reads. This change will be noted on the January 2021 bills and will be seen on the February 2021 bills. Consumers with questions about the Program should call Colonial Power Group, the Town’s aggregation consultant, at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.

For more detailed information about the Town’s Program, including how to OPT-OUT or OPT-IN, or to access Eversources’s Basic Service rates, please visit https://colonialpowergroup.com/dalton/.

Dalton Open Space and Recreation Plan – 2020

Important Notice: Due to COVID 19, The Dalton Senior Center remains closed for programs and office visits until further notice to support social distancing for the community and staff. All transportation services have been suspended and are not expected to resume until public buildings are allowed to open with business as normal.

Staff members are available by telephone Monday – Friday 8:00 am until 3:00 pm by calling 684-2000. If seniors have needs in the community, please contact staff to discuss, and identify possible solutions.

Please tune in to DCTV station 1301 on Monday (orientation), Tuesday and Thursdays at 10:00 am for Sue Jacobs Osteo-Exercise Class! This program is also available on Dalton Community Television’s YouTube Channel!

Berkshire County COVID-19 Adaptation Fund

The Berkshire County COVID-19 Adaptation Fund will provide grants to small for- and non-profit businesses in Berkshire County to address fixed debt, payroll, accounts payable, documented lost sales, other working capital expenses that could have been recognized had the COVID-19 pandemic not occurred. The fund will also consider applications from established non-profit organizations to support programs aimed at supporting individuals and groups of individuals impacted economically by COVID-19. The focus of this fund will be on small to medium sized businesses and organizations with a tiered system of maximum awards based on FTEs. Preference will be given to applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)-owned businesses and non-profit organizations offering support to populations affected by COVID-19. Grants through this program will help businesses and organizations with up to twenty-five employees address expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online applications will be available as of December 1st.
https://berkshireplanning.org/berkshire-county-covid-19-adaptation-fund/