Dalton Finalizes Town Manager Contract

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Wednesday, October 29, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Eric Anderson

DALTON, Mass. — Town Manager Eric Anderson will start in his new role Nov. 17.

It was announced during the Select Board meeting on Monday that the town had successfully negotiated a three-year contract with Anderson.

"The contract negotiations were as smooth as possibly one could imagine, and Eric Anderson was here yesterday for the signing of the contract," interim Town Manager Henry "Terry" Williams told iBerksires.

"I met with him for a number of hours yesterday, and he and I are looking forward to his arrival, and it appears to me as though he's a perfect fit for the town going forward."

Earlier in October, Williams' contract was extended through Nov. 21 to aid in Anderson's onboarding to facilitate a smooth transition.

Anderson's first year salary is set at $142,500, Williams said. During the search, the Select Board approved a salary range of $135,000 to $155,000 to attract more applicants in a competitive market for town managers in Western Massachusetts.

When Thomas Hutcheson announced his retirement as town manager earlier this year, the board planned ahead, establishing a flexible town manager budget to cover the interim town manager's compensation and onboarding for the new town manager, Williams said

If there are any shortages the town can cover it with reserve fund or interdepartmental transfers, he said.

Anderson was hired for the town manager position in September, following interviews with the three finalists — Anderson, Lisa Blackmer, and Jonathan Elwell.

The board emphasized that all the candidates were highly qualified; however, Anderson's well-researched answers and prior experience that aligned with the town's issues stood out.

Anderson has six years of experience as the town administrator of his hometown, Andover, Conn., which has a population of about 3,200 residents and a select board form of government.

He said he had experience dealing with circumstances similar to what Dalton is currently facing, including the concerns over Berkshire Concrete's mining operations and the discussions surrounding a new police facility stemming from the current facility's deteriorating condition.

More information on Anderson here.

Tags: town administrator,

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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
05:58PM / Monday, October 12, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.

On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.

"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.

Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.

As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.

Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.

"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.

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