BEAT Awarded Funding for a Community Commercial Dishwasher

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative (BZWI), a program of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), has been selected as a recipient of one of Mass DEP's Reduce, Reuse Repair Micro-Grants. 
 
The award will be used to purchase and install a commercial dishwasher at BEAT's Environmental Leadership and Education Center, located in Pittsfield, as well as to purchase supplies for a stock of at least 100 reusable place settings, including plates, bowls, silverware, glasses, coffee mugs and tea cups, and some serving dishes and utensils.
 
The dishwasher will be used by BEAT and BZWI to sanitize all dishwares used at BEAT events, both those held at the center and elsewhere in Berkshire County. The 100+ place settings will also be made available to community groups for public gatherings as well as individuals for private parties. Community members will be able to reserve the type and amount of dishes needed in advance, pick them up at the BEAT office, and bring them back for washing after use.
 
Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative's mission is to help move Berkshire County towards zero waste. This project aims to do so by eliminating barriers associated with choosing alternatives to single-use items, especially plastic foodware, including money and time spent on durable dishwares and their cleaning. Use of this community resource is intended to be accessible to all, and is expected to be in place by the end of this year.
 
This project will be funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Learn more about the Reduce Reuse Repair Micro-Grants and this year's recipients from Mass DEP.
 
This educational program is offered by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Pittsfield. Learn more about BEAT's programs and what they do at www.thebeatnews.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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