Dalton Advisory Panels Nixes Fire Station Add

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee eliminated the possibility of including a fire station in a public safety building. 
 
Committee members highlighted several reasons, including the Fire District's separation from the town, its disinterest in purchasing a station, and its "house [being in] disorder." 
 
The Board of Water Commissioners oversees the Fire District and the Fire Department.
 
The district had reconsidered the prospect of purchasing a former automotive garage, located at 385 Main St., to turn it into a fire station. 
 
The advisory committee members alluded to how this prospect has stalled because of issues that have arisen in the district, including the suspension of the fire chief and his counter allegations and confusion surrounding the roles of the Prudential Committee and the Board of Water Commissioners
 
Thomas Irwin, a town Finance Committee member and engineer, in July proposed the district could renovate the current fire station, purchase and modify the Dalton Garage, or renovate and build an addition to the Dalton Garage to address its space issues.
 
Advisory Committee co-Chair Don Davis said the Board of Water Commissioners recently shut down this prospect for the second time.
 
"The narrative from the commissioners were a fire department is done. Do not talk about it. It's over. Do not bring it up again," Davis said. 
 
"So if they're the entity that's going to be paying for it, as it stands right now, they shut us down again."
 
If things change in the future, the committee said it is willing to revisit including the fire station in a public safety facility discussion, but at the moment, it is not feasible. 

Tags: fire station,   public safety committee,   

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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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