Dalton Home Facing Condemnation

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — A residence located at 96 Anthony Road is facing condemnation unless the resident can make strides in cleaning the property to meet safety standards. 
 
Despite having concerns, the Board of Health this week agreed to give Gary Dill an additional four weeks to clean the property. 
 
The board previously approved a deadline of Aug. 14 to clean the kitchen, clear the egresses in all rooms, remove debris, repair the front stairs, and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, Health Agent Agnes Witkowski said. 
 
Due to an unexpected illness, cleaning of the property has been delayed, Dill said. 
 
The property's owner, Sandy Dill, said she agreed with her brother that there aren't structural concerns for the house. 
 
The town has been in communication with Dill for more than a year regarding the outside of the property. The shrubs are overgrown and a pine tree on the property is dead, Witkowski said.
 
The condition of the inside of the house was brought to the town's attention in June following an emergency call. The Fire Department determined that the state of the house was a safety concern for Dill and his wife. 
 
The board was concerned about approving this extension. Dill assured that progress would be made during the extension period. Witkowski has visited the house numerous times and will continue to make inspections, saying some progress has been made. 
 
The board will decide whether to condemn the property at its Sept. 13 meeting. 

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2nd Street Second Chances Receives Mass Sheriffs Association Award

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The event took place Tuesday in the Great Hall at the State House.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Second Street Second Chances has garnered statewide recognition for its efforts to prevent recidivism.

The Massachusetts Sheriffs Association honored it with the Program of the Year Award during its second annual law enforcement and corrections award ceremony on Tuesday.

"I'm so proud of Second Street Second Chances for winning the Program of the Year award, which they truly deserve," Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler said.

"Under the guidance of Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell, 2nd Street has become a trusted and respected resource for formerly incarcerated persons in Berkshire County. 2nd Street's dedication and genuine care have paved the way for their clients to reenter their communities with dignity and purpose."

Personnel from across the commonwealth gathered at the State House in Boston to applaud their colleagues. There were 10 categories of awards for individuals, departments, and programs.

Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, president of the MSA, led the ceremony which was live-streamed on social media.

"Our correctional and law enforcement professionals are the unsung heroes of our justice system. Day in and day out, they commit themselves to challenging a vital mission and that mission is to make a difference, both in our communities and in the lives of the justice-involved individuals entrusted in our care," Cocchi said.

"These individuals who have faced their share of difficulties deserve our respect, compassion, and the opportunity for a successful re-entrance. It is the dedication and tireless efforts of our sheriff's offices, their professionalism, that make this a reality. These devoted professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring that the individuals in our care have the chance to rebuild their lives to return home better, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters."

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