Dalton Traffic Commission Approves Special Permit for Nicholas Sand and Gravel

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
DALTON, Mass. — The Traffic Commission approved the renewal of Nichols Sand and Gravel's special permit for earth removal. 
 
The company, located at 190 Cleveland Road, operates a gravel pit there. 
 
The hours of operation will remain 7 to 4 p.m. The commission approved owner Paul Nichols' request to allow his trucks to depart the property in either direction. 
 
Nichols has to apply for renewal of the special permit every year. 
 
The previous permit required the truck to exit the property to the right. Former residents requested this stipulation nearly 16 years ago to reduce the number of trucks using the residential street to avoid disturbing the quality of life and neighborhood. 
 
Since then those residents have relocated and there have not been any other objections to the change, Traffic Commission Chair William Drosehn said. 
 
Traffic in the area is going to be the same as there are the same amount of trucks, Nichols said. The only difference is that the traffic will be dispersed. 
 
The only concern is that the road is narrow and Drosehn questioned whether this would be an issue for emergency personnel. Nichols said the street meets state specifications of 22 feet. 
 
No objections were raised by Commissioners Camillus Cachat Jr., Adelard Nadeau, Highway Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall, Fire Chief Christian Tobin or Drosehn. 
 
The commission also is organizing a list of Complete Street projects to demonstrate which ones have the highest priority. These projects include sidewalk installations and repairs, pedestrian lighting, bike racks, transit shelters, and more. 

Tags: traffic commission,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories