DALTON, Mass. — All seven communities in the Central Berkshire Regional School District approved expanding the scope of the Wahconah Regional High School project.
On Wednesday, the 140
Dalton town meeting members did their part and overwhelmingly supported the high school track project that passed with a 97-43 vote taken by secret ballot.
"I would love to see the town of Dalton continue to invest in our youth, in our health and in our community. I have used the track myself. I know numerous people that have used it. And we just have to continue to invest in our future and our health," one resident said.
Also on Wednesday night, Hinsdale town meeting voted in favor of putting funds toward the track project.
Now that all member towns have voted in favor of the expansion, the Central Regional school district will go out to bid to get the final cost.
The cost of the new track for all the communities combined is estimated at $750,000 but $900,000 would be budgeted for contingencies.
In Dalton, this vote approves the added cost of up to $45,000 a year to the town which amounts to roughly 10 cents on the tax rate.
However, this added cost was something town meeting members were willing to live with if it meant a new track for the high school.
Dalton resident and physical wellness teacher Kerry Mason noted that this is more than a track.
"It's about the life lessons learned and being part of a team," she said. "Doing something good for not only your physical well-being but also your social and emotional well-being and development."
2021 Wahconah Regional High School graduate Paxton Strout reiterated this sentiment expressing how important her time on the track team was to her.
"I have so many friends from the unified track team who still talk about how amazing that time of their life was. It changed people's lives for the better. I believe that the new track can help students find joy in this program like I did and my classmates," she said.
The track was not included in the original scope of the Wahconah project. Although school officials knew what kind of condition the track was in, their focus was on the building.
On
Aug. 22, the School Building Committee recommended including a new track to the Wahconah renovation project that was at that time $2 million under budget.
"We are now sitting $2 million under budget for the school project due to all of the cost-cutting measures that were taken in order to deliver a state-of-the-art building while being fiscally responsible," Athletic Director Jared Shanon said. "Which was the charge of the building committee. They did an excellent job."
If repairs are not completed by a certain time, then the track team would have to find another track. Bussing the team would create a new operational cost.
There were those who were still opposed to the project.
Finance Committee Chair William Drosehn noted that although the school is in need of a new track, it would be more cost-effective if the town did some more research before accepting an added cost.
"At this point, I would advocate a no vote for this point. Not because I don't want us to have a track, a good track," he said. "But I want us, for the taxpayers in the town of Dalton, to do our due diligence. And let's get a state-of-the-art place up there for hopefully much less."
Thomas Irwin spoke as a resident during the meeting questioning the cost of repaving the quarter-mile track, especially since the town was able to pave a mile and a half of Dalton Division Road for about $300,000.
Principal Aaron Robb argued that contractors would not be building a road but a track. Costs would reflect that.
Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis also noted that the $900,000 amount is just an estimate and they do not anticipate needing the full amount. They still need to go out to bid.
She also said there are resources available to the school now that will not be available if they postpone the track.
The Select Board chairman read a letter of intent by Davis addressing concerns that the board and Finance Committee raised at previous meetings.
"I've outlined below the plan for maintaining the newly constructed track. The intention is to preserve the integrity of the track. Given that this space is multi-use, in order to properly maintain a new track and increase its useful lifetime, we plan to implement the following protective proactive solutions," the letter reads.
The letter went on to say track covers will be purchased to protect the track from wheeled vehicles and heavy cleated traffic. Temporary above-ground fencing will also be provided to direct foot traffic to the covered area. This fencing will also be used along the sidelines during events to keep traffic off of the track. Signage will also be posted asking the public to use the outside lanes of the track to minimize wear on the more used inside lanes.
She added that it would be proactive to resurface the track every eight to 10 years. Possibly using money from fundraising or from within the operating budget.
In Article 2 the town voted to transfer $10,000 from the General Stabilization account to the Police Office Detail fund. This transfer will allow the officers to be paid for their services the week they work rather than within 30 days.
The town also voted to approve Article 3 which will transfer $380,000 from Sewer Stabilization to pay partial costs of addressing sewer system inflow and infiltration and other repairs.
The American Rescue Plan Act will cover the remaining costs.
Finally, the town voted in favor of Article 4 which authorizes the payment of unpaid bills of the previous fiscal year for $25 for New England Security and $118 for Unifirst for carpet cleaning.
The meeting, that was over in an hour or so, was held at Wachonah Regional High School.
