DALTON, Mass. — Following a lengthy and at times heated discussion, the Select Board voted in favor of relocating the town's polling station to the Senior Center as of March 5, 2024. 

 

The split decision to move it from the Community Recreation Association passed 3-2 following remarks made by residents, the police chief, the town clerk, and board members, and against the recommendation of an ad hoc committee to stay at the CRA for now.

 

During the annual town meeting, residents voted to have the town clerk and safety officials assess possible voting locations and present their findings to the board at the end of 120 days. The article was brought before town meeting by citizen petition.

 

The ad hoc committee was made up of the police chief, the fire chief, the highway superintendent, and Town Clerk Heather Hunt.

 

During their research and meetings with the town's Americans With Disabilities Act committee, they tried to balance the concerns regarding accessibility, visibility, and parking which was brought up during the town meeting, Hunt said. 

 

Some residents expressed during Select Board meetings that the Community Recreation Association is not accessible for those with mobility issues. 

 

One resident said there isn't a positive reason to hold elections at the CRA because of its lack of parking, and the lack of entrance and exit accessibility. 

 

The voting location committee looked into using the schools, but it was determined that was not a viable option as the schools would have to close for the day, Police Chief Deanna Strout said. 

 

Even if the town were to just use the gym it is still a massive safety issue, she said. 

 

The town also looked into utilizing the Stationery Factory but it was determined that space was not an option because elections cannot be held at any private business, Strout said. 

 

The Senior Center has three handicap parking spaces, 57 regular parking spaces, and is only one level. 

 

There were concerns regarding the volume of people who funnel through the Senior Center, especially during the presidential election, which would be managed differently at the CRA.

 

Those against moving the voting location to the Senior Center also noted its lack of visibility from the road. 

 

Strout said parking at the center is limited, which is a safety issue, noting Dalton Day was an example of this.

 

Although it was a "fantastic event," they couldn't "have emergency vehicles on the streets because there were people parked everywhere," she said. 

 

One resident said there was lack of parking during Dalton Day because the Senior Center's parking lot was closed and that there won't be hundreds of people shuffling in all at once. 

 

"The safety issues for me, this is a very small space. With tables and chairs the number for occupancy is about 128," Strout said.  

 

This includes the 12 polling staff, Senior Center staff, and the 10 to 12 voting booths, she said. The Senior Center does not have a lobby or entryway so in cases of inclement weather there is a question on where they will go. 

 

"We worked really hard as a team, talking with the ADA and meeting with people and listening to their concerns. I know the ramp is steep, that is the issue ... it's difficult," Strout said. 

 

"The answer to that is there's a police officer there to help you. If that's what you want to do. We are there to help you. It's an option. I'm not saying it's the answer but that is why we are there to help."

 

It is unclear if the Senior Center can handle the volume of people because there is a lack of data due to changes in elections, Hunt said. 

 

Due to the pandemic, elections have changed to allow anyone to request a mail ballot. Prior to this, the process of not voting in person was more difficult.

 

Based on the data from the general elections, this change has had a drastic effect on in-person but since this has only been in effect for a year, being voted in June 2022, there is not much data, Hunt said. 

 

When discussing parking and space, it is important to consider this context because the number of people voting in person may change, she said. And it is also important to consider because the change in the data makes it unclear how many residents are unable to vote because of the lack of accessibility. 

 

The voting location committee's recommendation was to remain at the CRA for elections so that more data can be collected, Hunt said. 

 

Select Board member Marc Strout recommended holding off on the decision so more data can be collected at the next election. 

 

This recommendation was shot down because changes to election day operations need to be made prior to the next spring election and town meeting had expressed it wanted a decision following the review. 

 

It was determined based on the communications with the ADA committee that residents did struggle gaining access to the CRA due to the long ramp, Hunt said. 

 

The committee also considered the fact that in 2018, the Select Board voted on adopting the Age Friendly Community Strategy because approximately 50 to 60 percent of Dalton residents are over the age of 50. 

 

In addition, Dalton has committed to not discriminating on the basis of disability. Last year, the Select Board designated Executive Assistant Alyssa Maschino to coordinate efforts to comply with ADA requirements. 

 

Based on this information, the town felt morally obligated to provide more accessibility at its voting locations for residents, Hunt said.