Berkshire County Historical: 'In The Service of America' Lecture

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society will present the lecture In the Service of America: Berkshire's Black Soldiers and Veterans of the Revolution, by historian Cynthia Farr Brown. 
 
The free event takes place on Feb. 26.
 
The lecture will look at some of the stories of the Black men from the Berkshires who served in the Continental Army and as minutemen and militia during the American Revolution, as well as what happened to veterans living in the Berkshires after the war was over. 
 
Historical records reveal the stories of lesser-known Revolutionary War veterans from Berkshire County, including Frank Duncan, Bacchus Boardman, and Paul Freeman. These individuals served alongside the more famous Agrippa Hull, each with their own unique story of service and sacrifice. Boardman, originally from eastern Massachusetts, served in New York before settling in Pittsfield. Freeman, enslaved at the time of his service, was promised freedom after the war but had to petition the town of Sandisfield to honor this promise after his former enslaver died.
 
This free, virtual lecture will begin at 5:30 pm; email melville@berkshirehistory.org for zoom link. 
 
Presented as part of the Berkshires250 celebration of the anniversary of the American Revolution.
 
Brown volunteers with the Berkshire County Historical Society at Arrowhead. She also serves on the executive committee of Berkshire Educational Resources K12 (BERK12). She has a doctorate in United States history and her scholarly publications have included co-editing the institutional history, "Lesley University: Celebrating Excellence 1909-2009" as well as other book chapters and articles. She is currently Senior Associate Commissioner for Regulatory and Veterans Affairs at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

Tags: arrowhead,   berkshire county historical society,   Melville,   

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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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