DALTON, Mass. — The town was awarded funding to install a generator at the Senior Center, but officials are concerned it won't be enough. 

 

In March, Town Manager Eric Anderson submitted a request to the state for funding to install a generator at the Senior Center, which is slated to be the town's emergency shelter.

 

In correspondence to Anderson, state Rep. Leigh Davis cautioned that it had been a very tight budget year, but was hopeful to secure at least partial support, pitching $120,000 in funding to state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, chair of the House and Joint Ways and Means Committee. 

 

After a budget debate on April 29, an earmark of $20,000 was allocated to Dalton for an emergency generator. 

 

"It was a tough budget year, with considerably less funding added by the House than in previous years, but I'm glad that we were able to secure at least a partial earmark for the generator," Davis told Anderson in an email correspondence. 

 

At Monday's Select Board meeting, Anderson recommended using the funds solely to install the transfer switch and exterior discount

 

"What any backup generation system needs is a way to safely and legally tie into our existing electrical system in the building," he said.