Letter: Dalton,Vote for Fiscal Responsibility & Board Accountability
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To the Editor:
During the March 26 Finance Committee meeting, I was appalled by Chief Deanna Strout's snide remarks directed at the Committee after the Police Budget failed to pass. The Finance Committee, comprised of elected officials who volunteer their time and oversee "all municipal financial issues," should not be subjected to unprofessional behavior from a department head.
I commend the committee for scrutinizing the police budget, which has risen by 59 percent, or $600,000, since Chief Strout's appointment ($1.049M FY21 vs $1.665M 2026 projection). Salaries are the primary factor behind the increases. The town manager, in a deplorably poor effort, recently negotiated the patrol officers' new contract; however, Chief Strout has input, and the final approval rests with the Select Board. Furthermore, Chief Strout's initial salary in 2021 exceeded the final salary of Chief Coe, despite Chief Coe's years of experience and Chief Strout's lack of supervisory credentials.
Chief Strout's preferential treatment, due to her relationships with certain Select Board members, doesn't end there. As of the fall 2024, the Select Board Members have remained unchanged since the 2020 election. An independent investigation has not been conducted in response to the civil rights lawsuit filed in October 2024 against the town, the chief and former Sgt. Buzzella (Read the details here). The Select Board's lack of action contrasts sharply with its prior decisions regarding former Chief Coe, for whom it initiated two separate investigations. This raises serious questions about the board's consistency and fairness in oversight.
The chief has repeatedly justified rising expenses with references to "POST," accreditation, "Pittsfield PD got a 25 percent raise," Liability, and "Saves on the town insurance." However, a closer look reveals that much of this information is either inaccurate or taken out of context. While grants for new equipment are beneficial, many come with recurring costs that grow annually or the funds expire, shifting the financial burden onto the town. Her assertion that additional budget cuts would target community policing initiatives such as the DARE program, the comfort dog, and the crossing guard is tactical intimidation to get the budget passed. In the meantime, several financial concerns remain unaddressed: Why does each officer have an individual work cellphone rather than a shared one per cruiser? Why does the town require four certified drone operators, let alone one? Why is a new cruiser being requested when two functional vehicles remain parked behind the station? I could go on. Most critically, why do the Select Board and town manager continue to endorse these financial obligations?
Dalton residents, given the recent chain of events and the unjustifiable hike in the police budget, I strongly encourage you to vote "no" on both the police budget and the new cruiser during the annual town meeting on May 5. This is not a defund the police movement. This is about fiscal responsibility and accountability to the taxpayers of Dalton. Additionally, I urge you to vote for change in the town election on May 12. Let's take a stand and say, "enough is enough!"
Signed by Dalton residents Diane Lowe, Chris Furlong, Brian Landquist, Gregg Stefanik and Jody Stefanik
Dalton, Mass.
