No Drought Conditions in Berkshire County

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BOSTON — Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared that Berkshire County remains at a level 0 drought designation.
 
As outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, Level 0-Normal Conditions?status warrants continued monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities if drought conditions return.?
 
Tepper added that following several months of above normal rainfall, the Islands Region will be downgraded from Level 1-Mild Drought to Level 0-Normal Conditions.
 
All other regions of the state remain in Level 0-Normal Conditions.  
 
"After several months of experiencing drought conditions, I am pleased to declare that the Islands region has returned to normal. However, we need to continue practicing water conservation methods to enable full recovery and minimize impacts of future droughts across the State,"?said Secretary Tepper.?"The Healey-Driscoll Administration thanks those who contributed to our drought resiliency efforts. We must take an all-of-government approach to address these challenges as we experience more extreme and frequent weather events due to climate change."
 
The declaration is the result of recommendations made by the state's Drought Management Task Force, which is composed of state and federal officials, and other entities.? 
 
The Drought Management Task Force will not meet until drought conditions set in again. State agencies will, however, continue to closely monitor and assess conditions across Massachusetts, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal, and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future.

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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.

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