Pittsfield Launches Campaign For New Trash, Collection System

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Beginning early this fall, residential curbside trash and recycling will be picked up by an automated side-load truck.

Residences with four or less units will be receive one recycling cart (also known as toter) and one trash cart per household/unit. The recycling cart is expected to be delivered starting in mid- September to early October, one collection route at a time. The trash cart will then be delivered in mid-October to early November, one collection route at a time. A schedule with more information can be found on the city's website: Cart Delivery & Pickup (revize.com)

There is no need for residents to be home to receive their carts. As part of the delivery, carts will include additional instructions for placement as well as a calendar and frequently asked questions.

If you want to request an additional recycling cart for free or an additional trash cart for a fee of $40.00 per quarter, contact the Department of Public Utilities at (413) 499-9330. Delivery of additional carts will take approximately three weeks to arrive at your residence.

Residents may continue to use their small blue recycling bins for sorting recycling materials. However, any recyclables will need to be placed in the recycling cart at the curb each week for collection.

In preparation of this new collection system, city officials will be hosting several community meetings to provide an overview of the new system on the following dates:
  • Wednesday, August 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, 330 North Street
  • Monday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Morningside Community School, Cafeteria, 100 Burbank Street
  • Thursday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Reid Middle School, Auditorium, 950 North Street
  • Monday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Berkshire Athenaeum, Auditorium, 1 Wendell Ave (Presentation provided in Spanish)
In addition to the community meetings, information will be shared through mailers directly to residents, the city's website, city's social media pages and to local media outlets during the upcoming weeks and months.

For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: Trash and Recycling New Collection System (cityofpittsfield.org).

 

 


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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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