Berkshires Gets $4.3M in CDBG Grants

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires is getting $4.3 million Community Development Block Grants for housing, road and social services programs. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey announced some $39 million in CDBG grant awards to 65 communities at Chelsea City Hall on Thursday. 
 
Among the awardees: Becket and Dalton: $999,810 for the purpose of rehabilitating 14 housing units; Great Barrington, Egremont and Stockbridge: $1,375,000 for the purpose of rehabilitating 16 housing units; Lenox and Lee: $1,000,000 for the purpose of rehabilitating 11 housing units; and North Adams: $925,000 to support 2024 road improvements, senior center improvements (Phase III), and provide social services (youth services, meal delivery, youth literacy).
 
The CDBG Program is designed to help small cities and towns meet a broad range of community development needs, such as housing, community, and economic development projects that assist low-and moderate-income residents or revitalize areas of blight. Communities may apply alone, or multiple communities may join and apply together.    
 
"Our cities and towns use these Community Development Block Grants to fix their roadways, expand their housing options, and improve the quality of life they offer their residents," said Healey. "Our administration is grateful to the Biden administration, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and our federal delegation for their work, and we are thrilled to see how this grant funding will positively impact our local communities. 
 
"We know how important it is to invest in our communities, and these CDBG awards, combined with our Affordable Homes Act, will help us move forward with our commitment to making Massachusetts
 more competitive, affordable, and equitable."  
 
 

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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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