Cable Advisory Committee to Hold Public Hearings

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Cable Advisory Committee will be hosting two public hearings. 
 
The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 6:00p.m. and will take place at City Hall in the Council Chambers located at 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield.
 
The second hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. and will take place via zoom.
 
To participate in the March 8 meeting, participants will need to register in advance using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WJPBhDNqRaKd5KgdUMw7ig.
 
After registering, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
 
At these hearings, the Committee plans to gather insight and feedback from city residents and Charter Spectrum Cable subscribers about the quality of their cable service. The format for these public hearings will be structured to allow residents to share comments to be entered into the record. These hearings will not provide an opportunity for back-and-forth questions and answers with the committee or with the cable company.
 
The Cable Advisory Committee will use the comments and feedback as part of the upcoming negotiations with the cable company for the next ten-year license, which will start on Oct. 1,
2024.
 
Those unable to attend either session, the Cable Advisory Committee encourages the public to write letters or email their comments on their cable service and/or Public, Education and Government (PEG) access television in the city. Letters can be mailed to the Cable Advisory Committee, c/o Mayor's Office, 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 and emails can be sent to the Committee Clerk, Heather Grunin at hgrunin@cityofpittsfield.org.
 
Any comments received via mail or email will be included in the recommendations in the report from the Cable Advisory Committee.
 
The Cable Advisory Committee is also conducting an online survey to gain even more insight into residents' experience with Spectrum Cable and their viewing habits of PEG Access television, as provided by Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV). The survey is available at: http://bit.ly/4bDtXiA.

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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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