Governor Extends Hybrid and Remote Public Meetings to Increase Access

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BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey signed An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency.
 
This legislation will permit state and local public bodies to conduct public meetings in a hybrid or remote format while also allowing participants at town meetings to participate remotely through June 2027.  
 
"This law allows everyone, no matter where they are in our state, to engage in important discussions that affect their lives and makes it easier for everyone to have their voices heard in our government," said Governor Maura Healey. "We don’t want anyone to be held back from attending public meetings because they don’t have a ride or child care or because they have a disability. We're grateful for the partnership of the Legislature and local officials as we work together to increase access to participating in our democracy." 
 
Earlier this year, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll proposed the Municipal Empowerment Act, which would make hybrid and remote access to public meetings permanent.  
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Dalton Finance Approves Amended Police Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee approved an amended version of the Police Department budget.
 
The amended budget of $1,664,924 is $14,564 less than what was originally requested. This is still an increase of $129,668 increase from this year.
 
The budget is made up of $191,338 in expenses and $1,473,586 in salaries. 
 
The department initially proposed a budget of $1,679,488, a $144,232 or 9.39 percent, increase mainly caused by salary increases.
 
Police Chief Deanna Strout emphasized that the increases within the budget are mostly contractual.  
 
Finance Committee chair William Drosehn said if "we all kind of tightened our belts even further," the budget could be cut by $15,000 or $20,000. 
 
However, he stressed that if more funds are needed, reserve fund transfer requests can be made if the need arises. 
 
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