LENOX, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli this week to announce a $750,000 earmark for the Lenox Town Hall Restoration Project. Pignatelli has also temporarily stepped into the role of town manager.
The allocation was made possible through Congressionally Direct Spending (CDS) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Neal included funding for this project in the Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill that was signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022.
"A town hall holds a prominent place in a community's downtown, representing the cornerstone for public discourse and the nexus for local governance. In a community like Lenox, whose history pre-dates the Revolutionary War, the town hall represents an institution with which generations of residents identify," said Neal. "I was pleased to partner with state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli to further the Town Hall Restoration Project. This funding will help preserve and maintain this historic building, ensuring it can continue to serve the residents of Lenox for years to come."
Built in 1901, the historic Lenox Town Hall stands in a prominent position in downtown Lenox. A signature building of the Downtown Historic District, the Town Hall is on the State Register of Historic Places. Funding secured by Neal will support the restoration and repair interior and exterior features throughout the building, including:
Repairing and restoring the deteriorating dome;
Re-shingling the roof and exterior painting;
Addressing extensive water damage in the rotunda;
Installing more modern, energy-efficient lighting fixtures;
Replacing the flooring and sound system in the auditorium; and
Improving the handicapped-accessible ramp.
Under guidelines issued by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, members of Congress requested CDS funding for projects in their state for Fiscal Year 2023. CDS requests were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments, and eligible non-profit entities, were permitted to receive CDS funding.
This project is one of 15 CDS projects submitted by Neal, totaling over $20 million in investments throughout the First Congressional District of Massachusetts.
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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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