Downtown Pittsfield Business Improvement Grant Recipients

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) have announced the second round of Glow Up! Grant recipients in the city of Pittsfield. 
 
The following businesses and property owners have been awarded grant funding for signs, painting, lighting, and improvements to their entryways: Angelina's Submarine Shop (W. Housatonic St.), Angelina's Submarine Shop (Dalton Ave.), Berkshire Pipe & Tabacco, Clark Vintage Lighting, Independent Mobility, Insight Holdings II, LLC (Phoenix Theatres), Hotel on North, Otto's Kitchen & Comfort, Pittsfield Health Food Store, Soda Chef, Thistle and Mirth, property owner GDL Associates (Brothership Building), and property owner Scarafoni Associates (Dunham Block).
 
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation are co-facilitating The Pittsfield Glow Up! Business Improvement Grant Program made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program's purpose is to provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 within ARPA's disproportionately impacted district of Pittsfield.
 
Grant recipients were selected using a grading system that ranked their responses on how COVID-19 impacted their business, on the details of the projects to be funded by the grant, and on the impact the projects would make on their space, keeping in the spirit of "Glowing Up" our community. $100,000 will be distributed in this second round of Glow Up! Grants.
 
"Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is pleased to be working with the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) on The Pittsfield Glow Up! Business Improvement Grant Program," says Rebecca Brien, Managing Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. "Thanks to ARPA funding provided by the City of Pittsfield, we are able to help small businesses on projects that the struggles of the past few years made impossible. This program can help with that fresh coat of paint; a new, easy to see sign; or lighting in a spruced-up entryway. We want to see our city become the bright, beautiful, and vibrant district we know it can be."

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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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