Dalton Select Board May Forgive Back Taxes for 463 High St.

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted last week to forgive about $8,000 in back taxes and fees for 463 High St. — but not without some stipulations.

If the receiver, Adam Oliveri, sends a letter of commitment to remain the receiver of the property, the board agrees to forgive the back taxes because it is under $10,000 and the costs are more than the assessed value of the property. 

A revised demolition quote of $52,975 is more than the land assessment of $46,400, so the waiving of the back taxes is the town's attempt to encourage the receiver not to back out. 

The single-family home has long-standing code violations that pose a serious risk to public health and is a safety hazard. 

It was considered abandoned by its owner and has been designated as unfit for human habitation for "violations of the State Sanitary Code including: lack of gas and electric utilities, unsafe roof structure and the property being filled with trash and debris blocking means of egress.'" 

An asbestos survey suggested by a Housing Court judge was not done because Oliveri was concerned about the safety of the architectural engineer.

"The architectural engineer would need to enter at their own risk," Health Agent Agnes Witkowski said in an email communication with environmental analyst emergency response asbestos inspector Joanne Flescher. 

Oliveri was appointed as the receiver of the property on Aug. 24, 2022, by the Attorney General's office. He has accumulated more than $15,000 in lawyer fees because he had to go back and forth to Housing Court and clean the outside of the property. 

Former Fire Chief James Peltier and building inspector visited the house last year and said they were concerned with the floors being unsafe, Witkowski said. 

It took many years to get this receiver and the Attorney General's Office said it was difficult and unlikely to get another one, she continued. If the receiver backs out the town will be responsible for the demolition. 

Based on the emails between the town and the receiver, it looks as though he has already made the decision to back out, Select Board Chair Joseph Diver said.  

Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson described the waiving of the back taxes is a "Hail Mary."

But the board was concerned that a decision like this would set a precedent.

But Hutcheson said since the circumstances are unusual and the nominal profit is less than the cost of  doing the demolition, that narrows the precedent to an acceptable policy.

"I feel like if it's a Hail Mary and it will set a precedent, maybe it is not the best move. There is no guarantee of the outcome," Select Board member Dan Esko said.

A letter of commitment made the decision acceptable to a majority of board members.


Tags: demolition,   

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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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