Berkshire Green Drinks: Monitoring Air Pollution in Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Andrew Ferrara and Drake Reed will speak at the August Berkshire Green Drinks event on Wednesday, Aug. 13. 
 
This free hybrid event will take place online via Zoom and in person at Wander Berkshires, 34 Depot Street, Suite 101, Pittsfield, MA. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM; the presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM.
 
Attendees will learn about the scope of the Breathe Easy Berkshires ambient air quality project, a local effort to monitor air pollution in Pittsfield. The presentation will cover the motivation behind starting the project, the progress made in the research, and findings to date—including significant air quality events that have been recorded.
 
The team will also demonstrate their mobile monitoring equipment and explain how it functions in the field. Finally, they will discuss how individuals can stay informed about air quality conditions and take simple, effective steps to protect themselves during periods of poor air quality.
 
 
Drake Reed and Andrew Ferrara are the Co-Managers of Breath Easy Berkshires, a Berkshire Environmental Action Team project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The project monitors ambient air quality in Pittsfield, to identify sources of pollution, engage the community in discussion, and ultimately improve air quality and public health.

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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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