Dalton Planning Board Sends Letter of Support for Housing Rehabilitation Program Grant

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board approved an amended letter of support for the town's Community Development Block Grant application. 
 
The town submitted the application with Becket to develop a joint housing rehabilitation program in Dalton. 
 
"A housing rehabilitation program of this scope would be too difficult for either of the towns to pursue individually," the letter said. 
 
The federal Community Development Block grant aim to help eligible towns and cities meet a range of community development needs, including housing rehabilitation. 
 
The Community Development Fund "encourages applicants to develop coordinated, integrated and creative solutions to local problems," the state website said. 
 
Housing rehabilitation programs are an important component for many CDBG grantees. 
 
It helps cities and towns achieve "safe, decent, and sanitary housing conditions for low- and moderate-income people;" improves "the quality of life in lower-income neighborhoods;" and works to eliminate "slum and blighting conditions," the state website said. 
 
Dalton has been working to provide and expand housing options for its residents by exploring amending zoning bylaws, and other housing options such as Accessory Dwelling Units or tiny homes
 
Dalton's master plan prioritizes identifying housing. One of its action steps is to review zoning bylaws to confirm that the bylaws enable the development of various housing options, including middle-income housing, first-time homeowner housing, family housing, and senior housing.
 
During the meeting board members agreed to cut the reference to tiny homes from the letter of support to the Executive Office Of Housing And Livable Communities due to how early on they are in the exploration process. 
 
Board member Donald Davis, Jr. made the motion to strike the reference to tiny homes from the letter because of how many unknowns there currently are surrounding the endeavor. 
 
The board agreed to remove the reference; however, they did not see an issue with the topic since the town is "looking into" it and including it in the letter does not commit them to anything.
 
The program "will allow us to address deferred maintenance, code violations, and a lack of safety in current housing stock to prevent economic disinvestment and to increase the safety and appeal of properties in two historic Berkshire communities," the letter says. 
 
The letter of support demonstrated that the need for collaboration between the two towns to "preserve existing housing" is critical. 
 
"Berkshire County's population is the second-oldest in the Commonwealth after Cape Cod, with adults over age 50 expected to represent 50 percent of all residents, within the next 10 years," the letter says. 
 
"In addition, older housing stock and rising costs of living are negatively impacting a greater number of homeowners, many of whom are living on tight, or fixed-incomes and cannot easily afford regular maintenance or repairs."
 
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 44.4 percent of Dalton residents and 35.3 percent of Becket residents are considered low to moderate income, the letter said. 
 
In addition, 31.1 percent of Dalton homes and 17.7 percent of Becket homes were built before 1949 or earlier. 
 
The letter also demonstrated the two town’s past success with housing rehabilitation programs but urged that the need is still prevalent. 
 
According to the letter, Becket assisted 17 households using a fiscal year 2017 and in 2020 Dalton aided 17 households in both Becket and Dalton using funds from a regional grant. 
 
"And yet, the need and demand for the housing rehabilitation program remains strong, with 46 Becket households on the waiting list, and 69 households in Dalton waiting for access to the program," the letter said. 

Tags: CDBG,   housing,   

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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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