Pittsfield Company Awarded InnovateMass Grant

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) awarded Noble Carbon $350,000 to demonstrate its innovative and reverse-compatible circuit that helps residents and businesses manage electricity use and bills.
 
InnovateMass offers grants and technical support for teams deploying new clean energy technologies or innovative combinations of existing technologies with strong commercialization potential. Including this latest round of awards, InnovateMass has provided over $23 million to 115 demonstration projects since 2013, leveraging more than $27 million in additional private and public funding.
 
MassCEC announced $3.6 million in funding for 20 clean energy and climatetech companies and researchers. The grants are awarded through four of MassCEC's programs: AmplifyMass, Catalyst, Diversity in Cleantech - Early Stage (DICES), and InnovateMass. MassVentures also supports Catalyst, DICES, and InnovateMass. 
 
"Massachusetts leads the nation in climate innovation, and this funding reaffirms our commitment to the entrepreneurs and researchers driving this global industry," said Governor Maura Healey. "Even as federal support wavers, we're stepping up—investing in early-stage companies and cutting-edge research to grow our economy, create high-quality jobs, and strengthen communities across the state and beyond."
 

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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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