Letter: What's Happening With Dalton's Finances?

To the Editor:

What's the problem? We are approaching our tax levy limit. As a result of rapid increases in spending over the last four years, Dalton's buffer before we reach our tax levy limit has dropped from $1,200,000 to $772,000 in 2023, which is OK, and likely to be approximately $140,000 in 2026, which is very concerning. If it gets to $0, the town of Dalton will have to cut services and reduce spending in many ways.

What is the levy limit? Proposition 2.5, which is part of Massachusetts law, says that the maximum amount a town can tax its residents (the levy limit) is 2.5 percent of the total assessed overall value of the homes in Dalton plus new growth. New growth in this town has been small for several years. In 2024 the total assessed value of all property was $895,322,865 so the total amount the town could raise from taxes is approximately $22.4 million. In 2024 the total amount of revenue collected was $21.2 million, which means we had $864,000 buffer that we could collect before reaching the levy limit. Each year the assessed value of homes increases, which in turn increases the levy limit and helps Dalton meet its ever-increasing obligations. Over the last four years, the increase in our town's expenses has been outpacing these increases, cutting into our buffer.

Does a Proposition 2.5 override save us? A Prop 2.5 override is intended for large capital purchases. It's like a mortgage, but town governments call them bonds. We did overrides for the new school, repairs to Town Hall and Dalton Division Road, which were then covered by bonds. But overrides are not helpful for annual expenses like salaries, benefits, supplies or any other expense. An override may help us not hit our levy limit, but it is still money that must be raised through taxes to pay for the debt, so it still appears in your taxes.

Speaking of taxes, do you know that if this year's proposed budget passes Dalton's resulting rate of approximately $18.13, which combines the town and fire district tax rates, will likely be one of the highest rates in Berkshire County? Do you know that if a new building is built that costs $15 million this would require a Proposition 2.5 override that would result in an average annual increase in our taxes of approximately $250 per household? If this bothers you, when the time comes you should vote!

Attend the annual town meeting on May 5 at 7 p.m. at the Wahconah Regional High School and VOTE. It might be a long evening but your vote on each item is extremely important in controlling costs and increasing the tools our town government has for the future.

To prepare for the meeting every Dalton resident who is concerned about their taxes and their town should read the annual Town Report, which contains all the financial and policy items that you will be asked to vote on at the meeting. The report will be dropped off at your door by the Boy Scouts on Saturday, April 19. If the report is not clear or, like many others, you have questions, I hope you all will feel comfortable stopping by and talking with me about them. Getting ahold of me is easy. I will be at my campaign office in the old bank across from the Town Hall each weekday from 4:30-6:00. I can also be reached on Facebook at William Drosehn Candidate or instant message me.

Please vote yes on Article 27 for the Capital Planning Committee.

Thank you!

William Drosehn
Dalton, Mass. 

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.