Town Clerk @ May 04, 2026 7:00 PM EDT

[sup...@mytowngovernment.org]

The following meeting has been updated:

Town(s): Dalton, MA;
Board: Town Clerk
Time: Monday May 04 @ 7:00 PM EDT
Location: Wahconah Regional High School Auditorium

Agenda:
TOWN OF DALTON
BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
_____________________________________________________________________________________

GREETINGS:

In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required and directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Dalton, qualified by law to vote in the Elections and Town Affairs, to meet in the:

WAHCONAH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
150 OLD WINDSOR ROAD, DALTON, MA
MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026 AT 7:00 P.M.


Then and there to act on the following articles:


ARTICLE 1. To see if the Town, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E½, will vote to fix the maximum amounts that may be spent during the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2026 for the revolving funds established in Town by-laws, as on file and available for viewing in the office of the Town Clerk, for certain departments, boards, committees, agencies or officers, with such expenditure limits to be applicable for each fiscal year until such time as Town Meeting votes, prior to July 1 for the ensuing fiscal year, to revise the same; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the "Schedule of Compensation for Elected Officials" for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money, including without limitation, appropriations from Sewer User Fees, for the purpose of defraying charges and expenses and debt service in the Town’s Operating Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of paying the Town's share of the Operating Budget of the Central Berkshire Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of paying the Town's share of the Transportation Budget of the Central Berkshire Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of paying the Town’s share of the Capital Budget of the Central Berkshire Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money to the Reserve Fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money for the purpose of reducing or offsetting the expected tax rate increase in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money for the purpose of funding professional and technical work to ensure the compliance of the Berkshire Concrete Corporation with the conditions of their special permit and any other applicable Town orders; or take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from available funds to be reimbursed by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in accordance with Chapter 90, Section 34 of the Massachusetts General Laws, and any other enabling statute, for the purposes of highway maintenance, repaving, and similar roadway expenditures; and further, to authorize the Select Board to enter into contracts or grant agreements with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for such purposes as necessary; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Sewer Stabilization Fund a sum of money to pay the City of Pittsfield for the additional costs of sewage treatment in the 2025 fiscal year; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to establish a sub-fund under the Capital Stabilization Fund for “Capital Equipment” and a separate sub-fund for “Road Improvements”; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds, a sum of money for MS4 Stormwater permit consulting services; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money to the following stabilization funds: General Stabilization Fund, Capital Stabilization Fund, Capital Stabilization Fund (Capital Equipment), Capital Stabilization Fund (Road Improvements), Legal Stabilization Fund, and Sewer Stabilization Fund; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds or otherwise provide a sum of money to the Department of Public Works for capital expenditures and road improvements for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the unutilized balance of several prior years’ borrowing authorizations for completed capital improvement projects; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 54, and establish a personal property tax exemption for any personal property valued at $1,000 or less, beginning in Fiscal Year 2027; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote taken under the motion for Article 29 of the warrant for the May 5, 2014 Annual Town Meeting, which appropriated funds to the Dalton Cemetery Trustees for the purpose of repairing hazardous gravestones, and further to transfer the remaining balance of said appropriation to the Dalton Cemetery Trustees for the purpose of completing cemetery improvements; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 138, section 12D, permitting the Select Board to allow on-premises wine and malt beverages license holders to trade in their license for a non-transferable on-premises all alcoholic beverages license; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote taken under the motion for Article 23 of the warrant for the May 5, 2025 Annual Town Meeting, which appropriated the sum of $238,000 to the Building and Grounds Department for the purpose of completing plumbing repairs at Town Hall; and further to appropriate the sum of $238,000 to the Building and Grounds Department for the purpose of completing HVAC and plumbing improvements at Town Hall; or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 59, and Chapter 23A, Sections 3E and 3F, and the applicable regulations thereunder, to approve a Tax Increment Financing Agreement, between the Town, DKA Realty, LLC and Sinicon Plastics Inc., for the property located at 455 West Housatonic St., Dalton, Massachusetts, being Assessor’s Map 113, Lot 98, which TIF Agreement provides for a real estate tax exemption at the exemption rate schedule set forth therein; and to authorize the Select Board to execute the TIF Agreement, and any documents related thereto, and to take such other actions as necessary or appropriate carry out the purposes of this article; or take any other action relative thereto.

ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of G.L. c. 44, §53F½ establishing the sewer department as an Enterprise Fund, effective Fiscal Year 2027; or take any other action related thereto.”

ARTICLE 23. by citizen petition

To see if the Town will amend the Town By-law 350-5 to add “A movable tiny house is a transportable structure built on a chassis designed for year-round living when served by an approved energy and water source and wastewater system; has not less than 150 and no more than 400 square feet of habitable living space, excluding lofts, projections from bay windows, open desks, porches or exterior utility and storage compartments; is designed and built using conventional residential building materials to any single- or two-family dwelling shall be authorized by special permit from the Special Permit Granting Authority provided it meets all of the following conditions for residential placement: (a) requires site plan review; (b) is licensed and registered with the local Registry of Motor Vehicles; (c) meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.5 or NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1192 safety requirements; (d) is certified by a manufacturer or third-party inspector for ANSI or NFPA compliance and the International Residential Code (IRC) Appendix Q;(e) cannot move under its own power: (f) the undercarriage (wheels, axles, tongue and hitch) shall be hidden from view; (g) is secured by ground anchors that meet weight and height requirements (h) must sit on a level gravel or paved surface.”

ARTICLE 24. by citizen petition

To see if the Town will amend the Town By-law 350.39.1 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to add “a movable tiny house” to B. Definitions following “a unit that is part of an accessory structure,” and before “or a unit that is part of an expanded or remodeled primary dwelling.”

ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will recess until MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026 at 11:00 O'CLOCK A.M. to 7:00 O’CLOCK P.M. to meet in the DALTON SENIOR CENTER, 40 Field Street Extension in Dalton, MA, to choose and elect the following Town officers and the determination of such other matters as are by law required to be determined by ballot:

(2) MEMBER SELECT BOARD FOR 3 YEARS

(1) MODERATOR FOR 1 YEAR

(1) CEMETERY TRUSTEE FOR 3 YEARS

(2) MEMBER PLANNING BOARD FOR 3 YEARS

(2) LIBRARY TRUSTEES FOR 3 YEARS

(1) MEMBER FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR 3 YEARS

* * *

 
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting five attested copies thereof as required
by the Bylaws of said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meetings.

And you are further required and directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town of Dalton, qualified by law to vote in the Elections to meet in the DALTON SENIOR CENTER, 40 Field Street Extension in Dalton, MA, on MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026 at 11:00 O’CLOCK A.M. to 7:00 O’CLOCK P.M. to bring in their votes for Town officers per Article 25 and the determination of such other matters as are by law required to be determined by ballot.

Note to Constable: Post this Town Warrant per Town By-Laws.

Given under our hands and seal this _____day of____________, 2026.

A true copy. ATTEST: _____________________________
Heather A. Hunt, TOWN CLERK

SIGNED: ______________________________ ______________________________
Robert W. Bishop, Jr., Chair John F. Boyle, Vice Chair

______________________________ ______________________________ Daniel E. Esko Marc E. Strout

___________________________
Antonio P. Pagliarulo

SELECT BOARD



By virtue of the within Warrant, I have served the same by posting in at least five public places attested copies thereof as the Bylaws of the Town direct, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.


_____________________________ DATE: __________________________
CONSTABLE

POSTED: Country Corner Package & Variety, Dalton Senior Center, Dalton Restaurant, Kelly’s Package Store, Greenridge Variety Convenience, Riverside Public House, U.S. Post Office, and Town Hall Bulletin Board


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