Berkshire County Public Housing Benefits From Internet Access Grants

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll administration and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) awarded $31,548,018 to four internet service providers (ISPs) to increase internet access for affordable and public housing residents statewide. 
 
Aervivo Inc. was awarded $10,527,014 for 6,402 housing units. This uncludes 30 units in Pittsfield through the Beacon Residential Management Limited Partnership and 30 units in Williamstown through the Williamstown Housing Authority.
 
Archtop Fiber LLC was awarded $481,955 for 164 housing units. Through the Great Barrington Housing Authority, 31 housing units in Great Barrington, 30 housing units in Sheffield, and 50 units in Housatonic will benefit.
 
53 units in Stockbridge will also be impacted through the Stockbridge Housing Authority.
 
This round of grant funding will modernize internet access in more than 13,700 housing units across Massachusetts, including the installation of fiber-optic or CAT6 internet infrastructure, customer home-based equipment, and Wi-Fi service to residences in 60 municipalities across the state. The upgrades aim to increase connectivity, reduce cost burdens and improve digital access for low-income residents. 
 
"This program is about enhancing broadband connectivity for residents statewide," said Massachusetts Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba. "With this funding, we're making sure low-income residents have the same access to essential services, opportunities, and tools as everyone else, leading to a more connected and advanced economy."
 
The Residential Retrofit Program is funded by U.S. Treasury's Capital Projects Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act. The program prioritizes projects in federally designated Qualified Census Tracts and properties with high percentages of deed-restricted affordable housing.

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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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