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Walmart is taking part of its garden center to create a pickup space for online orders.
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Pittsfield Walmart Plans Online Order Pickup Area

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Walmart plans to enclose part of its garden center for an online grocery pickup area. 

On Thursday, the Conservation Commission OK'd the project to convert about 1,550 square feet of the outdoor garden center on the left side of the building. The total disturbance area is approximately 7,000 square feet and is confined to a few feet around the building and the drive aisle directly adjacent.

The expansion will facilitate the corporation's online ordering operations. This type of shopping became popular and necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It's very low impact,” said Greg DiBona of Bohler Engineering, the firm working on behalf of Walmart. 

"I mean, there's no change to drainage, no change in impervious coverage. The area was already fully paved and developed as part of the garden center. It's basically like putting a roofed area on top of that portion of the garden center.” 

The ConCom issued a negative determination for the project's request for determination of applicability, meaning it will not have a negative impact on the protected wetland areas. 


Based on the materials provided, there was some uncertainty about the project's setback from protected areas. 

The application states that activities are proposed to occur within the buffer zone of land underwater bodies and waterways, and bordering land subject to flooding associated with Barton Brook. 

DiBona reported that the flood zone is about 175 feet from the work area. 

"The garden center itself was already basically part of that building footprint. This area is outside of the flood hazard impact zone, so it's at a higher elevation. It doesn't impact the flood hazard area,” he said. 

"... Most of the garden center stays. I think the garden center is roughly about 10,000 square feet. So the garden center is going to now just be reduced to about 8500 square feet.” 

Commissioners issued the negative determination, conditional on a site visit with the city's conservation agent when erosion controls are installed, and that Walmart will submit missing architectural and building plans. 


Tags: conservation commission,   Walmart,   

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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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