DALTON, Mass. — The unofficial results for the town's annual election indicate that Planning Board registered candidate William Striebel III and write-in candidate Richard Hall have secured the two seats.

 

Some 413 voters cast their ballots at the Senior Center on Monday. There were 82 mail-in ballots.

 

The Planning Board race began with just one candidate for the two available positions, leaving one vacancy initially unfilled, but as Election Day approached, two additional candidates launched write-in campaigns, transforming it into a competitive contest.

 

The Planning Board saw a significant number of write-in votes, totaling 306. Striebel secured 238 votes, Hall 163, and Mary Tresa Devereaux with 133. 

 

Both Hall and Devereaux have been endorsed by the Dalton Clear Air Coalition, of which Hall is a member, and Democratic Town Committee. 

 

Hall decided to run for Planning Board last Monday inspired by the Berkshire Concrete situation wanting to ensure that the company follows the town's zoning bylaws. 

 

"Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I look forward to helping the town. It's a privilege being on the Planning Board," he said. 

 

In the position, Hall hopes the board works as a team to update zoning laws and ensure zoning is properly followed. 

 

iBerkshires called Striebel, also a newcomer, for comment, but at the time of publication had not heard back. 

 

However, during his campaign, Striebel highlighted his experience running a small trucking business that hauls quarry materials and performs state snowplowing contracts. This experience, he said, taught him the value of hard work, responsibility, problem-solving, and collaboration.

 

In a Facebook post prior to the elections, Striebel shared his concern stemming from Berkshire Concrete's lawsuit against the town, cautioning that there is a "very small window left for meaningful negotiation, every word counts and each word needs to reach for common ground." 

 

"Like many residents, I have watched from the sidelines as concerns over dust from the Berkshire Concrete Corporation gravel mining operation have grown into a major issue for nearby residents and for the Town," he wrote. "I also recognize that the resulting lawsuit will be quite costly and difficult for everyone involved."

 

Incumbent John Boyle and newcomer Jeannie Ingram have successfully been elected to the Select Board for the three-year positions. Boyle raked-in 294 votes and Ingram won 350 votes. The uncontested race had 41 write-in votes.

 

Results for other seats; all uncontested: 

 

Moderator: incumbent Anthony Doyle, 364 votes; Cemetery Trustee: Mary Cherry, 372 votes; Finance Committee: Diane Lowe: 356; two library trustees: incumbents Max Ehrlich, 347 votes, and Fred Sears, 374 votes.