image description
A sign on Swamp Road warns there's a $200 fine for littering but the town has no bylaw that would allow its implementation.

Lanesborough Considers Bylaw Against Litter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town is considering a bylaw against littering after reports of people dumping trash on the roadside. 

Last week, Police Chief Robert Derksen and Department of Public Works Director Nate Fenwick reported the need for a formal regulation to the Select Board. Fenwick said his department has picked up whole truckloads of trash next to roadways, and while sometimes the litterer can be located from their contents, the town's hands are tied when it comes to enforcement. 

"With not having any bylaw for this, it just makes it really difficult for us to get a handle on this," he said. 

Derksen said Lanesborough would be better off solidifying a broader local bylaw with a fine to deter this behavior. 

Massachusetts law prohibits littering on public highways, public lands, private property of another, or in or near coastal or inland waters. Derksen said these laws are "very specific," and have to be in accordance with a bylaw, which the town doesn't have. 

"I'm not sure what I would fine them," the chief explained. 

He said Dalton's bylaw is a great example. It stipulates that "No person shall throw, sweep, rake, blow, or deposit litter or rubbish in or upon any street, sidewalk, treebelt or other public place within the Town, except in public receptacles for that purpose, authorized private receptacles for collection or in an official Town disposal area." 



Dalton fines people up to $300 for littering. 

Town Administrator Gina Dario said as they begin to put the warrant together for the 2026 annual town meeting, the Select Board could review draft language for a bylaw inspired by that of another community. 

"Obviously, this doesn't sit with any particular committee. This would be something that could be directed by the Select Board to include for a town meeting vote," she said. 

There is a sign on Swamp Road that warns of a $200 fine for littering, but it doesn't have any teeth. 

Fenwick said he and Derksen have discussed a few different bylaws they would like to add more depth to. 

In other news, Jeff Murach was appointed as the DPW foreman during the meeting. 


Tags: litter,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories