Berkshire Organizations Awarded SafteyWorks Grants

07:26AM / Friday, December 12, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the SafetyWorks Initiative, including grant funding and free technical consultation for employers to improve safety in the workplace.

In Berkshire County, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, 18 Degrees and Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program were awarded grants.

As part of SafetyWorks, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) announced $800,000 in grants to train an estimated 13,832 workers at 160 organizations across Massachusetts. The grants, administered by the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA), aim to enhance workplace safety through training, education, and other preventative measures. SafetyWorks also features free technical consultation offered by the Department of Labor Standards for public and private sector employers.

"Well-trained workers are the foundation to safe workplaces," said Governor Maura Healey. "These grants are an example of our administration’s commitment to helping businesses educate thousands of workers in promoting safe work conditions."

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art was awarded $5,000 to train 180 employees, 18 Degrees was awarded $6,433 to train 120 employees and Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program was awarded $3,715 to train 46 employees.

The 160 grant recipients include municipalities, minority- and women-owned businesses, veterans-owned businesses, small business, and employers across industries such as manufacturing, construction, and more. This funding is made available through DIA annually. Since 1988, DIA has funded approximately $24 million to Massachusetts-based employers, helping approximately 324,000 workers and 1,693 employers throughout Massachusetts.

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the POST Commission.

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub.

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission.

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted. On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April.

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday.

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads.

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline."

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