image description
The Dalton Fire District launched its new website last Thursday.

Dalton Fire District's New Website Live

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District has launched its new website last week. 
 
Fire Chief Christian Tobin has described the previous site as "lightyears" behind where it needed to be and that the district needed "an interactive website that's exciting, that draws people into the Fire District."
 
The district has been working to update its website since April to contribute toward efforts to improve communication with the community. Tobin has also instituted community meetings to gain feedback and brainstorm solutions to the district's challenges.
 
The new website improves the accessibility to forms, permits, and public records, including meeting agendas, minutes, warrants, election results and bylaws, and allows for easier updating of news and information. 
 
The home page displays clickable photos that direct the user to the Fire District or Water Department subpages. Slightly farther down, users can find important alerts, fire safety information, the district's history, upcoming events, and contact information. 
 
The Fire District or Water Department pages have information unique to each department. The Fire Department page displays the department's contact information, history, current demographics, and a list of apparatus types. 
 
The Water Department page displays the department's contact information and mission, responsibilities, and details surrounding the annual spring flushing.
 
The menu icon in the top righthand corner displays an organized list and links to all of the subpages on the website. 
 
Website design and digital marketing agency Gemini Creative was hired to update the website to make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and user-friendly. 
  
Gemini Creative is located in Stockbridge and, according to its website, is currently working with the Dalton Recreation Association, Berkshire Housing, and Dovecote Homes. 
 
The initial cost of the website's design is approximately $4,800. This may change depending on what the district wants to include. According to a document from the agency, there is a $200 an hour fee for work outside the original scope. 
 
The Fire and Water Departments will be splitting the startup costs and have enough funds to cover it in this year's budgets. 
 
According to the agency's document, the yearly retainer for hosting, backup, and maintenance is projected at $600 a year. 
 
Gemini Creative will host the district's new website on its server and will be responsible for the website being available online. 
 
If anything goes wrong with the website, district employees can reach out to the agency to solve the issue. New versions of WordPress and any plugins will be installed when they become available. 
 
The website and database will be backed up every evening. 

Tags: website,   

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