The editorial below is reprinted from The Berkshire Eagle's July 26-27 issue. The editorial speaks directly to the ongoing controversy between Sandisfield's Select Board and the Sandisfield Fire Department, Inc.

In addition, "Sandisfield Fire Chief Tries to Rebuild Department". is a report by Jane Kaufman from the July 24 Eagle about the rebuilding being conducted by Sandisfield's new fire chief.

The Times appreciates The Eagle's generosity in allowing us to reprint both reports.

A thoughtful summary of the issues between the Town and SFDI, published July 14 and also written by The Eagle's Jane Kaufman, can be read online at www.berkshireeagle/michaelmorrison.

At this time, the Select Board has agreed in spirit with Fire Chief Grillo's draft resolution to disassociate from the SFDI and will communicate soon with SFDI. An open Working Session without attorneys, open to the public, has been tentatively scheduled for August 27 at Fire House #2.

One former Select Board chairman said at the Annual Town Meeting that the firehouses morally, if not legally, belong to the Town because Fire House #2 was funded by Town donations and built at least in part by local volunteers under the impression the building would revert to the Town. Firehouse #1 was bought from the American Legion in 2015 under the impression the sale was to the Sandisfield Fire Department, not SFDI. The building was rehabilitated by local donations and volunteers who contributed skills and labor, often under the same impression.

In the meantime, the Fire Department is accepting new volunteers and seeking additional paid firefighters/EMTs to replace those who have resigned.

- Bill Price