BRTA Studying Microtransit for County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is looking over a new project to bring microtransit to the county.
 
The study was done by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and FoursquareITP (Integrated Transportation Planning) and presented recently to the BRTA board by project manager Jessica Klion . 
 
She stated that the county is facing challenges to provide comprehensive and effective transit service for all of its residents and visitors as public transportation mainly focused on more developed areas.
 
Microtransit would include more coverage than a fixed-route service and would have a similar interface as the Uber and Lyft apps. This could help cover more rural areas, also helping customers book a ride.
 
In the study FourSquare, looked at the potential and need within the county for transit. It recommended that microtransit is most suitable for areas with medium to low transit potential but medium to high transit need. These places include: outside of downtown Pittsfield, Adams, Dalton, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, North Adams, Stockbridge and Williamstown.
 
The use of microtransit suggests it will fill many transit gaps. Some of the gaps mentioned were residents in North Adams and Adams who live farther from the main corridors and face the challenge of limited access to reliable public transportation. Pittsfield residents who live in the more suburban areas lack convenient access to bus stops and Lenox only has three major bus stops but has a high number of transit dependent residents.
 
The study is currently in the stage of developing operational scenarios over the next few months with public outreach planned in July.

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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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