iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

Williamstown Town Manager: Change in Police Leadership 'On the Table'

November 17, 2020 | 05:57PM

DIRE Committee member Aruna D'Souza pressed the pair about whether that conversation could include a step that many in town have been calling for since August's release of a discrimination suit by a sergeant against the town, Hoch and Police Chief Kyle Johnson.

Williamstown's DIRE Committee: Hate Letter Adds Fuel to Our Fire

November 04, 2020 | 01:24AM

On Monday, Memfis said the letter shows that racism and hatred are not problems that happen "in other places" but real issues that impact the lives of Williamstown residents.

DIRE Committee Concerned About 'Enough Is Enough' Messaging in Williamstown

October 21, 2020 | 04:00AM

Andrew Wells called in to the virtual meeting of the Diversity Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee to talk about the 2013 death of his daughter at the hands of a drunk driver in Plymouth.

Williamstown Select Board Chair: Town Can't Fire Employees Over Settled Incidents

October 07, 2020 | 01:22AM

Patton, who serves on the DIRE Committee the Select Board established in June, replied that it is not as simple as the town deciding not to employ people based on actions for which the employees already were disciplined.

Williamstown Police Union Calls on Select Board to Have Officers' Backs

October 06, 2020 | 04:06AM

In a letter to Town Manager Jason Hoch, Officer Brad Sacco, the president of Massachusetts Coalition of Police Local 424, accused the Select Board and the Diversity Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee it appointed this summer of fostering an "environment of hostility" toward law enforcement.

Williamstown DIRE Committee Hears Concerns About Police at Schools

October 02, 2020 | 03:42AM

The Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee this week heard from several residents who echoed the concerns raised by committee members about the presence of police officers in the town's public schools.

Letter: Response to Bilal Ansari and DIRE

September 25, 2020 | 07:00PM

Bilal, I truly want to understand you. I truly want our community to be the best we can be. If I have not made clear my responses to any of your questions, please let us continue this conversation.

Williamstown's Racial Equity Committee Discusses Core Principles

September 23, 2020 | 05:14PM

The Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee on Monday discussed a statement of principles to guide the group's work as it seeks to work for justice in the college town of 7,700.

Williamstown's DIRE Committee Raises Issue of Police at School

September 16, 2020 | 01:29AM

It is a topic that has been mentioned before in town and Mount Greylock Regional School District forums, but the comments at last week's DIRE Committee meeting were as strong as any to date in an official forum.

Williamstown DIRE Committee Pushes for Transparency on Town, Police Issues

September 11, 2020 | 01:01AM

It also filed a few requests for public record, including the committee's second request for access to the town's personnel policies and procedures.

Williamstown's DIRE Committee Talks About Need for Structural Change

September 04, 2020 | 01:22AM

A resident addressing the DIRE Committee during the public comment portion of its weekly virtual meeting suggested that the necessary discussions about the federal lawsuit filed against the town, police chief and town manager threatened to overshadow ongoing conversations that predate the legal action and led to the creation of the committee itself in June.

Williamstown Residents Renew Call for Investigation of Police Department

August 31, 2020 | 11:01PM

The Select Board spent nearly two hours listening to some of the 70 people who dialed in to participate in the remote meeting, with many of those speaking calling for Police Chief Kyle Johnson and Town Manager Jason Hoch to be placed on administrative leave and an independent investigation to be launched.