1Berkshire Trendsetter Award Nominations Open

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 1Berkshire 2025 Berkshire Trendsetter Award nominations are now open. 
 
These Awards will be presented at the annual Celebrate the Berkshires event. In addition, the honorary Putting the Berkshires on the Map award winner will be announced at this event.
 
"We are happy to announce the Trendsetter Awards are back for the 12th year. These awards allow us to shine a light on the exceptional individuals and businesses in our community," said 1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler. "To date, 1Berkshires has given out over 65 of these Awards and we can not wait to give out six more this year." 
 
The six Trendsetter categories are: Driving Visitor Engagement, Advancing Our Economy, Nonprofit Collaborator, Under 40 Change-Maker, Visionary of the Year, and Breaking the Mold. 
 
1Berkshire encourages any and all businesses as well as individuals to self-nominate or to nominate others that are doing great work.
 
The deadline to nominate is Thursday, June 12, 2025. Nominees do not have to be members of 1Berkshire.

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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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