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The Fire District is returning unspent ARPA funds provided by the town for a fire truck it will not be receiving.

Dalton Fire District Votes to Return Ladder Truck ARPA Funds to Town

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Water Commissioners on Wednesday voted to return to the town the balance left of American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated for a ladder ladder truck. 
 
"We appreciate the support and trust the Town of Dalton has consistently extended to our fire and emergency medical services. As stewards of public funds, we recognize the importance of responsible financial management," board Chair James Driscoll wrote to the Select Board. 
 
"We have determined that returning the unutilized ARPA funds aligns with our commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility."
 
In 2022, the Select Board approved transferring $119,500 in ARPA funds to the Fire District to purchase the "refurbished" ladder truck. The district is a separate governmental body from the town
 
On Oct.18, 2022, Northern Fire Equipment received a down payment of $77,000; the district will return the unspent $42,500.
 
The ladder truck was ordered in late 2022, but its delivery date has been changed at least four times. Northern Fire Equipment has said staffing shortages, change orders, and unexpected mechanical malfunctions have contributed to the delay. 
 
The funds were earmarked for a specific purpose that can no longer be completed, so "we must ensure they are used effectively and efficiently,"  Driscoll wrote. 
 
Last month, the board voted to seek legal action against Northern Fire Equipment for breaching the ladder truck contract in an attempt to recover the ARPA funds. More information here
 
"We sincerely thank the Town of Dalton for its unwavering support over the years. Your continued investment in our fire and EMS services enables us to enhance public safety, respond promptly to emergencies, and serve our community with dedication," the letter to the Select Board says. 
 
"Once again, thank you for your partnership and collaboration. We look forward to continuing our work together for the betterment of Dalton and its residents."
 
The decision to return the funds to the town passed with no discussion. 
 
Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson attended the meeting and expressed how much he enjoyed his interactions with Fire Chief Christian Tobin. He said Tobin is one of the best hires the town has had since he joined.

Tags: ARPA,   fire district,   fire truck,   

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Companion Corner: Cali and Kyzer at The Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a bonded dog pair awaiting a new family at the Berkshire Humane Society.

Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, a quite a bit bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.

Canine adoption counselor Rhonda Cyr introduced us to the two.

"They came from a household that couldn't hold on to them, and it sounds like they may have been abandoned by their previous owner with somebody else, and so they came to us looking for a new home," she said.

The two love to be around you and snuggle. But both are very happy dogs.

"Kyzer is 7 years old, and his personality is that he kind of wants to be in everything. He's very loving, very snuggly, as you can tell. And Callie here, she's 8 years old, and she is kind of like the life of the party," said Cyr. "She wants to tell you everything about her day, and she's a little bit of a little ham."

The two are considered seniors and really like soft treats as Cali just had a few teeth removed and Kyzer has a tooth procedure coming up.

"Currently, they really like soft treats, because they are both on the senior side of things. So they have had some dental work, so they are really in need of something softer. They are not big chewers at this age, really, their main focus right now is just really socializing and cuddling," Cyr said.

The two would love a quiet home with someone who wants to snuggle. They shouldn't go to a home with bigger dogs but if you have a dog, you can bring them in for a visitation with the poodles to see if they will get along. Cats will be fine and the preference is for older and more responsible children so that the pups don't get hurt, as they are senior citizens.

"The perfect home for them would be a quiet home that's not too active. Like I said, they're very social, so they could handle some visitors," she said. "They're very friendly, but I don't think that they would really enjoy any other dogs in the home."

Poodles need to be regularly groomed, and the prospective adopter will have to keep an eye on their health. Kyzer has a heart murmur that needs to be monitored. This doesn't mean he is in bad health, as he could live a perfectly normal life, but he will need to be checked by a veterinary specialist routinely.

"Ideally, he would go to a home that could provide further health care with a specialist in cardiac care. And you know, he could very well live out the rest of his life comfortably and happy," Cyr said. "We just don't have all that information at the moment, but I think that you know the way he's going right now. He's got a good spirit, and he seems to be pretty happy."

The shelter is hoping the to get them a home for the holidays.

"We would love to get them a home in time for the holidays. They've been here since the eighth of November, and they're really, really looking as much as the staff loves them here, we're really looking to get them into a home and somewhere nice and cozy so they can spend the rest of their life together," she said.

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