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Date: 3/22/2023
HUNTINGTON — After 40 years taking care of the roads in Huntington, 28 years full-time and the last 13 as highway superintendent, Charles “Chip” Dazelle is crossing the town line to take the eqivalent job in Chester. Dazelle’s last day in Huntington will be on April 8.
Dazelle, whose family moved to Huntington when he was 10 years old, is also the deputy fire chief in town, a position he intends to keep.
As highway superintendent, Dazelle has aggressively pursued grants for Huntington’s 37 miles of road, 25 of which are paved and the other 12 miles dirt, which he refers to as his own. He has been successful in the quest, receiving almost $8 million in grants and Chapter 90 funds for the town.
He said for a lot of the grants he would go on the computer and seek them out, including a small bridges grant on Searle Road. After he found the initial grant of $300,000 was not sufficient to do the work, he successfully lobbied for an additional $100,000 from MassDOT.
Dazelle said it took him six years of applying to the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to finally get the $1.3 million to repair the town-owned Route 66, which was finally completed in 2022. He said for that grant, the town had to pay the money, submit the receipts and get reimbursed, which he said can be a hardship in a small town.
“When I hit the $400,000 mark, I [submitted receipts] to get the money back. Even Chapter 90 money, I never wait until the end. Each phase you submit for reimbursement,” Dazelle said.
Sometimes he has not been successful, such as seeking grants to resurface Allen Coit Road and Pisgah Road. He said the grants typically were more obtainable for roads in documented low-income neighborhoods, and he would then plan to use Chapter 90 funds for remaining roads.
Currently, there is over $200,000 in the dirt road account, $68,000 in wrap money that needs to be used by June 30. Dazelle said Goss Hill was going to be finished this year, then Allen Coit.
“There is at least three years ahead for money, and I hope whoever comes in here keeps going after money like I did,” Dazelle said, adding the Hilltowns don’t get much without a fight.
Dazelle is also the president of the Berkshire County Highway Superintendents Association, the only county superintendents association in the area, a position he plans to keep. The association also lobbies for more funding, and is currently talking about counting highway workers as first responders.
“We’re lobbying through the Legislature, trying to get with Rep. Kelly Pease and [William “Smitty”] Pignatelli to get something changed, We’re first responders. If you get a storm, you’re not going to get fire, police, ambulance, anything, without getting the roads cleared,” Dazelle said. He said it’s an important distinction, because unlike the other first responders, the Highway Department doesn’t qualify for mutual aid.
He said in the most recent snow storm on March 14, a medical call came in on Harlow Clark Road. He said the fire chief made it up there with the four-wheel-drive fire truck, and he was able to go up behind them with a grader to get them to the hospital.
Dazelle said the storm for him was “bittersweet,” as he was plowing the downtown for what may be the last time.
Dazelle said he is leaving Huntington due to a lack of support from the Selectboard. The board referred to a conflict between Dazelle and the newest Selectboard member, William Hathaway, at its March 1 meeting. At the meeting, board members Edward Renauld and Roger Booth discussed complaints Hathaway had made against Dazelle, including swearing, while Hathaway remained silent. They also referred to an allegation made against Hathaway by Dazelle, but did not elaborate on it.
During the discussion, which took place in open session, Dazelle noted Hathaway’s experience in construction, and suggested they work together. “I’m sure there are things that a second set of eyes” could help, he told Hathaway.
With no response from Hathaway, Renauld continued to run down Hathaway’s complaints, and told Dazelle as a department head, he had an obligation to act in a professional manner.
“You are here as a servant to the public. We all are,” he said. He said it would be documented that they spoke to him, and said he hoped it wouldn’t happen again.
“I’m not looking at it as punishment, I’m trying to help you,” Booth said to Dazelle.
At the meeting, Dazelle again addressed Hathaway, who continued to remain silent.
“You’re on the Selectboard now. For years, we didn’t get along. I’ll show you any time what I do,” he said, repeating an invitation he had made earlier in the meeting for Hathaway to work with him.
Dazelle formally resigned on March 13. He said he didn’t feel like he had the backing of the board and didn’t want to deal with the retaliation.
When asked about Dazelle’s resignation, Renauld said, “I have no comment.”
Dazelle said he is looking forward to working with Chester Town Administrator Donald Humason and the selectmen in Chester, and to pursue grant funding there.
“Hopefully, we can hit the ground running up in Chester, and get some things fixed,” he said.
In a letter announcing his departure, Dazelle congratulated Jennifer Peloquin on her promotion from administrative assistant to Huntington town administrator, and said she has been a big asset in helping to get money for the town.
As for Chester, Humason said town officials are looking forward to welcoming Dazelle as their new highway superintendent.
“It’s going to be a real benefit for the town. We’re happy, the selectmen are happy, the highway department is going to be happy,” he said.