Two Contested Races in Lanesborough Election

iBerkshires StaffPrint Story | Email Story

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Voters will choose a new Select Board member through a contested race in Tuesday's town election.

Polls open at noon in the Town Hall community room and will close at 8 p.m.

Longtime Planning Board member Joseph Trybus and Deborah Maynard, also on the board, are running for the three-year term.

John Goerlach declined to run again after serving Lanesborough for 18 years, being first elected in 2006.

When prompted for closing words at the last meeting, Goerlach thanked the townspeople for their support and said it has been a pleasure to serve them.

Timothy Sorrell has another year on his term and Michael Murphy was re-elected last year for a three-year term.

At last week's annual town meeting, voters approved an article that expands the number of Select Board members from three to five. The home-rule petition has to be approved by the Legislature and will not affect this election.

There is also a contested race for the Planning Board, with Courtney Dondi and Mark Siegars vying for a five-year term. Both have served on town boards and commissions.

Renee Degragon is running for a one-year term on the Planning Board. Kristen Tool and David Parks are running uncontested for two three-year terms on the Finance Committee and Lydon Moors is running uncontested for a two-year term on the committee.  

Elizabeth Drury is running for re-election on a three-year library trustee term and David Rolle is running uncontested for a three-year term as town moderator.


Tags: election 2024,   town elections,   


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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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