DALTON, Mass. — The town election is this Monday at the Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

 

Unlike recent elections, all open seats are uncontested this year, with one vacancy still remaining on the Planning Board, which will require write-in votes to fill the seat.

 

The Planning Board has two open seats but only one candidate on the ballot — William Striebel III. However, two citizens have stepped forward to run write-in campaigns: Richard Hall and Mary Tresa Devereaux.  Both Hall and Devereaux have been endorsed by the Dalton Clear Air Coalition and Democratic Town Committee. 

 

The Select Board has two open seats for the three-year positions and only two candidates — incumbent John Boyle and newcomer Jeannie Ingram. 

 

Select Board member Daniel Esko has decided not to run again after serving on the board for six years. 

 

Boyle is a longtime public servant, having spent 27 years on the Select Board and six years on the Finance Committee, along with serving on numerous local and regional boards, including currently representing Dalton on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority and chairing the Dalton Redevelopment Authority.

 

He aims to work with other government officials and bodies to maintain financial stability while supporting education and infrastructure, noting that the town’s biggest challenge is limited funding.

 

Although new to the area, Ingram has jumped right into the Dalton community, attending numerous meetings and taking notes. 

 

She has held a range of leadership and volunteer roles, including chair of the Hingham Historical Commission and Dalton Cultural Council, founding president of the Su Escuela Language Academy Parent Association, and a board member of Pittsfield's Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center.

 

Ingram said she fully supports the Capital Planning Committee to help identify and prioritize projects that will require difficult conversations and multiple perspectives in order to succeed because of the financial challenges facing the town. 

 

She says her experience in fundraising and community engagement will help her support informed, transparent decision-making,

 

Also on the ballot is one seat for moderator with incumbent Anthony Doyle running for re-election, one seat for cemetery trustee with Mary Cherry running, one seat for Finance Committee with Diane Lowe running, and two seats for the library trustees with incumbents Max Ehrlich and Fred Sears running for re-election.