John Dixson - Resident, Barre MA

04/06/2026

VOTE TODAY
Barre Town Elections
4/6 8am-8pm

02/28/2026

I had the opportunity to sit down this week with NBC’s Small Town Secrets and share some of my perspective on the double dipping scandal that involved our former DPW superintendent.

One of the major reasons I chose to do this interview was to attempt to convey the need for the community to come together and end the DPW commission. Unfortunately that part did not come through in the short segment but I still want to share that aspect of this with you all.

The current commission structure does not provide sufficient oversight and in fact it was actively used to deliberately shield the former DPW superintendent from accountability. Through refusals for executive sessions to discuss conduct and performance to limiting enforcement of accountability focused policies that applied to all other town employees, deliberate action was easily taken by the commission to limit accountability with hostility ready as a response to any challenge. I have no reason to suspect that the current DPW superintendent will abuse this lack of oversight but it has happened before and I do not want my kids to face a similar or worse problem a generation from now because we all failed to take this structural issue seriously.

It is well past time to end the failed experiment and reorganize the DPW to work in the way that the vast majority of other towns do with the superintendent reporting to the Town Administrator just like our Police and Fire Chiefs currently do. The states Inspector General's office has even released a report confirming that this structural change is necessary for Barre.

When I first put forward this change the response from one commissioner after finding out they could not block you all from having a vote on the topic was to say “So we pack the meeting then!” and they were successful in doing so. To modify a quote from former state auditor candidate: The town belongs to those who show up.

If this change is brought to town meeting again this spring I hope you all will join me in showing up and voting to end the commission.

When Jason Pimental was supposed to be running the Barre Department of Public Works, he was found to have been working hundreds of hours for Massachusetts agencies.

08/04/2025

The Office of the Inspector General has published a report that includes a recommendation to abolish the DPW commission; the IG appears to agree with the assessment that the commission is a failed experiment.

Tonight the failed experiment will convene to consider the recommendations. Historically the commission has been opposed to its own abolishment, however I am interested to see if that has changed.

Remember, at the end of the day it is up to the people of Barre, not the commission, to decide when it is finally time to end the experiment.

www.mass.gov/news/ig-shapiro-urges-barre-town-officials-to-improve-timekeeping-controls

www.mass.gov/doc/town-of-barre-department-of-public-works-lack-of-timekeeping-controls/download

04/07/2025

VOTE TODAY!
Polls are open until 8pm.

01/09/2025

As nominations for the next town election open today I would like to share with you all that I will not be seeking re-election to the select board.

I would like to thank you all as members of the community for all of the support I have received as your representative over the last 3 years. I am proud of the work that has been done and what we have accomplished.

This was a difficult decision but it is the appropriate decision for my family at this time. As my kids are reaching ages where they are beginning to participating in more activities and where my career is beginning to more often require my attendance at public meetings in other towns and cities it was necessary to estimate what level of dedication I could promise to you all for the next 3 years. Unfortunately I have had to accept that I can not renew this commitment with the level of dedication that the position deserves. I must recognize that there are others in town who at this time can better offer the commitment that the town needs and that our community deserves.

I will continue to be involved in any way that I can as there is still work to be done. I will continue to push some important items forward as a resident of Barre and I hope many of you will join me in doing so. As I have said before I want to leave the town in a better condition for my kids and their generation and that mindset does not stop here, the pursuit continues and the work goes on.

I would be happy to answer questions or share more about my own experience with anyone interested in running for the select board position.

If anyone is interested in running for any positions in this upcoming election nominations papers are available at the town clerks office.

Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve my town and my community, it has been an absolute honor.

01/09/2025

Re: Old Reservoir Dam

Hi all I will do my best to provide any relevant information about Old Reservoir Dam that I have. Here are a couple of things to start.

There have been questions about if the currently impounded water may impact wells. I have asked the Water Commission to add the topic to their next agenda and I will be there to ask if they have any knowledge or records that would indicate any impacts to town wells. I have also asked them to record the meeting so you all can see any answers if you can't make it. That meeting is next Monday at 6:30 at the DPW

There was a request at the last select board meeting to do a hydrological study we are looking in to this and there is a chance such a study is not ready prior to April. This is a situation where the fact that it is a non-binding question could come into play. For example if hypothetically we learn that opinion of the community is to remove but we then find out from a study that the water is necessary for various wells then it could become necessary to change course based on the new information.

There is a need to provide the state with a direction to move in sooner than later the direction we provide them with will involve more data collection over several years of design and it is possible that in that time they may could come back and say that the option they offered and we selected now will not work based on additional information and the project may need to change. The objective at this point is to give them a direction to move in.

For costs:

All construction costs for either option are covered by the state

We have an estimate of $10,000-$15,000 for permanent access feasibility. This would be to look at how to get permanent access to the dam if it is repaired. If land or rights were to be donated this should cover the legal costs to accept the donation, if it's found through this that land or rights need to be purchased there would be additional costs and that would be later determined through this process. This initial sum would need to be appropriated at town meeting and we would not know what additional future costs are needed for access until this initial look has been completed. If hypothetically the preference of the town is to repair but the funds for access are not provided at a town meeting then it may be necessary to change course.

Additional annual insurance and annual maintenance estimates are being looked into and I hope to provide estimates for both soon

If you have not yet seen the draft question there is a link in a comment below

I will do my best to answer any questions to the best of my ability.

12/17/2024

Special Town Meeting
Tonight, 6:30 pm at
Ruggles Lane School.
Hope to see you there

12/05/2024

Today is a snow day for all of the Quabbin Schools.

11/05/2024

We’re looking for individuals, businesses, and organizations to donate a fully decorated tree, wreath, or gift basket to be displayed on December 6th and 7th, and people can visit, see the beautiful items, and purchase tickets to win them!

All proceeds go to Christmas in Barre to help purchase decorations for the commons and continue to allow us to put on these free events for residents.

Visit our new website, www.christmasinbarre.org, to contact us, learn more about our events, or enter to submit an item for our Festival!

11/04/2024

Mass Central Heritage

Mass Central Railroad train PA-2 is northbound approaching the end of the line in South Barre behind MCER GP38-2 1751 (ex PC 7997 blt. Jun. 1972) and GP9 1749 (ex CO 6199 blt. Dec. 1956) which are dressed in a sharp scheme that mirrors the original Boston and Maine bluebird colors debuted on their GP9 order of 1957.

The train is crossing over North Brookfield Road (MA Route 67) at about MP 23.9 on the Ware River Line, the former Boston and Albany Railroad's branch to Winchendon. At left is long out of service MCER 960, a former Milwaukee Road GP9 orignally blt. Nov. 1954 as MILW 2389, it was renumbered to 239 sometime after June 1959 theb rebuilt in the road's own shop to a GP20 and numbered 960 during October 1973. It was sold by successor Soo Line to GATX during November 1989 who sold it to the Mass Central where it has now spent 34 years though it has been out of service more than a decade.

Barre, Massachusetts
Friday October 11, 2024