Dalton Historical Commission Finds Cheaper Fireproof Cabinet

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission voted to purchase a used four-drawer fireproof cabinet from BBE Office Interiors during its meeting last week. 
 
Commissioner Thomas Synder said BBE had two four-drawer fireproof cabinets for $800 a piece.  
 
The commission decided to only purchase one of the cabinets, which is projected to cost about $1,200 including delivery because of the weight of the cabinet and its location on the second floor. 
 
Snyder said Town Accountant Sandra Albano had informed him that the town ordinarily purchases its fireproof cabinets from Staples and quoted the cost for a two-drawer for about $2,000. It is the commission's discretion from where it purchases the cabinet. 
 
During the previous meeting, the commission had approved purchasing a new two-drawer cabinet from BBE in the amount of $1,995 including delivery. The commission will reach out to Building Grounds Superintendent Patrick Pettit to see if he has already bought it and, if so, to cancel it. 
 
Various members of the commission expressed their concern on where they will place the four-drawer fireproof cabinet due to its heavy weight. 
 
They planned to ask if the Town Hall renovations had included reinforcing the floor so that it could safely hold the file cabinet. 
 
If that is not the case, the commissioners discussed alternative locations, like the basement but were hesitant because it has a lot of dirt, dust and is damp. 
 
In other news: 
 
The commission has $3011.30 remaining in the town account and $2,291.51 remaining in its donations account.  
 
The commission will explore the community's interest in renting space in the Stationary Factory to house a museum. 
 
The Studley Press quoted a price of $429 to print 10 copies of "Down Memory Lane," a compilation of historic newspaper columns by the Rev. Franklin L. "Cap" Couch.
 
The savings to have the commissioners put together spiral-bound versions would only be $65.50 so it would not be worth doing, one commissioner said. 
 
There is a question who owns the copyright is still being reviewed. Couch's son Robert Couch had expressed his willingness to help the commission but, as of last week, they have not heard back from him. The columns were printed in the 1970s in the long-defunct Dalton News Record.
 
North Adams resident Rachel I. Branch was present at the meeting because her fifth great-grandfather was a founding member of Dalton. 
 
Branch said she will reach out to Adams Specialty & Printing Co. owner Eugene Michalenko to see if he can print the book at a cheaper price. 

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State Fire Marshal: Fall Back Safely

STOW, Mass.—With the end of daylight savings time coming on Nov. 3, Massachusetts fire officials issued a seasonal reminder to check smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and change the batteries when changing clocks.

"Working smoke and CO alarms are vital to your safety at home," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "As we 'fall back' this weekend, protect yourself and the people you care for by putting fresh alkaline batteries in alarms that use them and replacing alarms that are out of date."

Today's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions – usually 5, 7, or 10 years, depending on the model. Unless you have newer alarms with 10-year sealed batteries, this is also a good time to replace the alkaline batteries in all your alarms. And remember to test your smoke and CO alarms once a month to be sure they're working properly.

Heating Season Brings Carbon Monoxide Hazards

Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of working carbon monoxide alarms as we enter the colder months.

"Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, and heating equipment is the main source of carbon monoxide in the home," Chief Kelleher said. "We can't see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide. Working CO alarms are the only way to detect this invisible killer."

Replacement Alarms Should Have Sealed, Long-Life Batteries and a Hush Feature

Replacing your old single-station smoke alarm? Choose alarms that have sealed, long-life batteries and a hush feature. This makes it less likely that someone in the home will use the batteries for another device, forget to change them twice a year, or remove them when cooking causes smoke in the kitchen.

"Disabling a smoke alarm puts you, your loved ones, and everyone in the building at risk," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "Never remove batteries from a smoke alarm except when putting fresh ones in."

Alarms Should Be Listed by an Independent Lab

Massachusetts requires that all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Listed devices will have the laboratory's mark on the back. In recent years, fire officials have seen numerous smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that were purchased online and either have counterfeit marks or no mark at all.

"Smoke and CO alarms can be the difference between life and death, but only if they work properly." said Chief Kelleher. "When you purchase a new alarm, choose one from a well-known, national brand. We've seen many alarms that were purchased online and don't meet the safety requirements of our State Fire Code. If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is."

Create & Practice a Home Escape Plan

"Changes to building construction and furnishings mean we have less time to escape a fire at home than ever before," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "You could have just three minutes to get out safely."

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