Dalton Select Board Express Concerns for Firefighter Saftey

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board will be discussing the safety of the town's firefighters during a future meeting. 
 
Concerns were raised during the board's meeting last week by Chair Joseph Diver. Diver claimed that he had spoken to both former and current members of the Fire Department who expressed safety concerns when responding to situations. 
 
"I would like to begin the process of how we as a Select Board, as town management, address those concerns when we don't oversee the fire department," Diver said. 
 
"... I've asked both to go public with a concern but as they've been presented to me, it's a concern enough that I could present it here as a safety concern. I don't know what to do next with it."
 
In response to these allegations, Board of Water Commissioners Chair James Driscoll told iBerkshires via email that he has told the Select Board several times the district is on top of all calls for emergency services and that there are no staffing issues.  
 
In June, iBerkshires reported on allegations of misconduct in the department when former interim Fire Chief Chris Cachat announced his retirement.
 
We received emails purportedly sent with the consent of a number of firefighters describing "unprofessional" and at times unsafe behavior and a lack of leadership following James Peltier's tenure as chief. Peltier was fired in May.
 
One safety concern raised to iBerkshires was a verbal altercation between a commissioner and a full-time member of the Fire Department. 
 
"He backed the full-time member into a corner so he could not leave until the fire chief separated this incident. This all took place during public hours of operations," the email said. 
 
Another incident described was a Dalton Fire Explorer using hydraulic cutters to cut through an airbag cylinder, "which is the most dangerous thing you could do with hydraulic tools," the email said. 
 
"... Not only are they completely disregarding the department policies but they are teaching unsafe operations of the Hydraulic tools to a minor while doing so without the proper safety equipment." 
 
The email also alleged other safety issues including non-state certified first responders going on medical calls, including a 17-year-old Dalton Fire Explorer, and firefighters shooting "firecrackers" at each other in the bathroom.
 
In June, Driscoll confirmed at least one alleged incident — that firefighters were shooting "firecrackers" at each other in the bathroom. He said a group of individuals were disciplined but not what that entailed. Cachat said he'd heard rumors about the incident.
 
In regards to other allegations, Driscoll said he was unaware of them but would be looking into them. 
 
iBerkshires also requested that the firefighters go public with their concerns but they feared retaliation. 
 
"We think it's very peculiar that [Peltier] was let go on allegations against him but this stuff goes on without repercussions. Sounds like retaliation against the chief and we are afraid of the same," one email said.
 
Former Pittsfield Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski stepped in as the interim chief in June.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

State Launches Workforce Innovation Tour at Interprint

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Secretary of Labor Lauren Jones starts her statewide jobs tour at Interprint in Pittsfield on Monday. The colors in the signage were inspired by the Eras Tour. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development kicked off its "revolutionary" workforce tour at Interprint and learned some about decor printing.

On Monday, the Healey-Driscoll administration launched the "MassHire 250 Workforce Innovation Tour" to celebrate local and regional workforce innovations across the state. From now until July, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones will visit each of the state's 16 MassHire regional workforce boards to hear about partnerships that fuel and sustain sectors.

"Berkshire companies are innovative in creating new possibilities," said David Moresi, chair of the Berkshire Workforce Board. "Technology and innovation are part of the Berkshires' industrious past, thriving present, and limitless potential."

In celebration of Interprint's 40th year in the city, state and local officials toured the surface design and printing facility and even participated in an ink matching exercise. With around 200 employees, the company sells its decorative papers and films worldwide and has seen several expansions.

"As I often say, workforce development takes collaboration and the network of organizations, community leaders, and workforce partners represented here demonstrates the partnerships that drive outcomes from career coaching and job training to employment," Jones said.

"That was demonstrated certainly by hearing some of the highlights shared during our tour of the partnership with MassHire and the employment and professional development outcomes that we see at a company like Interprint."

In a week, Massachusetts will join five other states in celebrating Patriots Day, commemorating the inaugural battles of the American Revolutionary War: Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy (Arlington). The workforce tour builds on the launch of Massachusetts 250, a statewide initiative to celebrate 250 years of America's independence and Massachusetts' revolutionary legacy.

Jones noted the Taylor Swift's Eras Tour inspired the signage.

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