Great Barrington Police Partnership Initiative With Deaf Recovery Coaches

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Great Barrington Police Department has partnered with Karran Larson, coordinator of Statewide SUD and Recovery Services and Deaf Recovery Coach Supervisor.
 
In an effort to collaborate with the deaf and hard of hearing community, Chief Storti has added this partnership to the co-responder program.  Larson will be utilized as a recovery coach for the community.
 
Larson will also train officers on how to best interact with the deaf and hard of hearing community in an emergency and in other aspects of police duties.
 
"With this partnership, we hope to be able to connect her services to other departments across the county and beyond," Storti said.
 
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please visit the GBPD website for a visor card. Utilizing this resource will make it easier to communicate with officers in the event they are seeking help or are stopped while driving.
 
The Police Department stated in a press release that they are continuing to expand outreach efforts and  urge other groups to reach out to begin a conversation with the department. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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