MountainOne Donates $25,000 to Food and Fuel Assistance Organizations

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne announced it will donate $25,000 to local community organizations across the Berkshire County and South Shore regions to assist with combating food insecurity and providing winter fuel assistance.
 
This financial commitment arrives at a moment when many local partners are seeing record need. MountainOne is stepping in with funding that will help keep homes warm and ensure families have access to healthy meals.
 
"As the need around us grows, our commitment has only become stronger. The organizations we are supporting are lifelines for local families, and we are grateful for the work they do every single day," said Brenda Petell, Vice President, Community Engagement Officer at MountainOne. “It is a privilege to stand with them and help provide food, warmth, and relief for our neighbors across Berkshire County and the South Shore."
 
In Berkshire County, MountainOne will contribute $10,000 to local food pantries. Recipient organizations include Thanksgiving Angels, Inc., Berkshire Grown, Inc., Berkshire Food Project, Inc., Al Nelson Food Pantry, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
 
Lastly, MountainOne is excited to direct its $10,000 donation for fuel assistance to the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations (PACC) Hearth and Home Fuel Fund.
 
"I am moved to commend MountainOne for supporting the needy in our community through the PACC fuel fund with this generous gift. $10,000 will keep quite a few households warm in what is already shaping up to be a very difficult season," said PACC Past President Rabbi David Weiner. "Funded by gifts from many congregations, corporations and individuals and administered directly through the Salvation Army, the PACC fuel is a last-resort resource for Pittsfield residents who will be left in the cold without another oil delivery. This gift will make a difference."
 
In addition to these donations, MountainOne Cares, an employee-led group, held a special Thanksgiving Basket raffle to raise employee donations and hosted local canned food drives for employees and customers across all locations. Proceeds from the raffle and items collected at the food drives will be donated to seven different food pantries across our communities.

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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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