Berkshire Organizations Awarded MassDEP Microgrants

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today announced $140,126 in microgrants awarded to organizations, municipalities and academic institutions focused on reducing waste generation and prolonging the lifespan of products by offering donation, rescue, reuse and repair services across the state.
 
In Berkshire County Berkshire Environmental Action Team was awarded $9,440 and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, Inc. was awarded $9,625.
 
The funding, awarded through MassDEP’s Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant Program, is given to projects that provide innovative and impactful ways to curb waste and keep products in use through donation, rescue, reuse and repair. Approximately 74 percent of the awarded projects will serve environmental justice communities.
 
"Reducing the amount of waste we produce – by reusing, repairing, rescuing, and donating what we already have – has the biggest direct impact on our ability to meet our waste reduction goals," said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. "Funding these projects ensures we have the infrastructure to tackle waste reduction right here in Massachusetts."
 
The funding awarded by the Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant Program helps cover the costs associated with developing and implementing reuse and repair projects that lead to waste reduction, including equipment, tracking software, and training. Grants are awarded across the public, private, nonprofit and educational services sectors. Recipients were selected through an evaluation process that scored applications based on need, innovation, feasibility, sustainability and impact.

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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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