Dalton Election Results Are Accurate

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The results of the annual election are not in question, Town Clerk Heather Hunt told iBerkshires, following rumors of nonresidents voting on May 12. 
 
"There's so many checks and balances that that would just never happen. I don't think that that happened. I'm not questioning the results of this election, not at all," Hunt said. 
 
The well-attended election resulted in Antonio "Tony" Pagliarulo winning one of the two seats in the four-way race with 577 votes for the board, outpolling the other three candidates by 107 votes, and incumbent Marc Strout retaining his seat with 486. 
 
Hunt did confirm that a "handful" of non-Dalton residents attempted to vote during the election, believing that they were permitted to because they own a business in town, which did "feel a little bit unusual." 
 
However, immediately after entering the voting center, they were stopped by the experienced election workers, either in Precinct One or Precinct Two, who verified their names and addresses.
 
If a voter was not on the list, they were referred to the town clerk, warden, or assistant warden, who explained that one must vote where they reside. 
 
Hunt said the situations involving non-Dalton residents attempting to vote were resolved without incident following clarification.

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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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