Greylock Federal to participate in Lift Up Homeownership Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union has been approved to participate in the Lift Up Homeownership program, a special purpose credit program offered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) to provide financial assistance to people of color purchasing their first home.
 
Through Lift Up Homeownership, people of color earning up to 120 percent of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in down-payment closing-cost assistance on a first-come, first-served basis to purchase their first home in New England. Participating homebuyers are required to complete a homebuyer counseling program prior to receiving a program grant.
 
"Greylock is pleased to participate in the Lift Up Homeownership program to offer community members an important tool that can help build wealth and bring stability to their lives," said Tara McCluskey, Greylock's Vice President, Mortgage Originations Manager.
 
Eligible buyers include borrowers who are Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
 
To learn more about applying for homebuying assistance through the Lift Up Homeownership program and other programs Greylock offers in partnership with FHLBank Boston and other organizations, contact the Greylock mortgage department at 413-236-4125.

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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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