Cheshire Police Chief on Unpaid Leave Following Arrest

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town's police chief, Michael Alibozek, was placed on unpaid leave Friday after being arrested the week before on charges of soliciting sex for a fee. 
 
He was initially placed on paid administrative leave; however, The Berkshire Eagle reported that following an executive session Friday, this had been changed to unpaid. 
 
Alizbozek pleaded not guilty last week and was released on personal recognizance. Former Police Chief Timothy Garner, who retired in 2022, was named interim chief, Select Board Chair Shawn McGrath said. Garner had initially been named as administrative consultant.
 
According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, 53-year-old Alibozek, of Adams, was arrested by the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit and assisted by troopers from the Cheshire State Police Barracks.
 
Alibozek was taken into custody in the parking lot of Hoosac Valley Middle and High School at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov  6. He had been communicating online with an undercover State Police detective, according to the DA's office. 
 
Following the arrest, Alibozek was relieved of duty and placed on paid administrative leave by the town administrator and the McGrath. His town-issued firearm and access to the police station were seized.
 
Alibozek was hired as police chief in 2022 to replace Garner, after serving on the force for five years. A sergeant at the time, he was one of two finalists interviewed for the post. 
 
More information here
 
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Letter: Re-Elect Christine Hoyt to the Select Board

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

In her nine years on the Adams Board of Selectmen, Christine Hoyt has made many contributions to improve our Town of Adams. Two areas that are important to me are her experience with Emergency response and advocating for the state to provide more dollars for Adams in Chapter 90 road monies.

When faced with the closure of Adams Ambulance in 2023, Christine worked to ensure that EMS coverage continued for the residents of Adams without an interruption. Her membership on the Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee provided her with a strong relationship with Cheshire that allowed her to work closely with Cheshire officials on press releases, public meetings, and arrangements for EMS coverage.

In addition, Christine has completed Incident Command System and National Incident Management System training in particular for public officials to better understand her role in times of emergencies. She has often been called upon to help disseminate information during an emergency.

Our tough New England winters cause potholes and a lot of damage to our roads. Our town relies heavily on state aid to municipalities through the Chapter 90 bond bill. Christine has advocated at the local, regional and state level for more dollars from the program. She has done this through local conferences, advocacy among our local delegation, advocacy as a member of the Local Government Advisory Commission (LGAC), and testimony provided to the Joint Committee on Transportation.

She also supported the work of the Healey-Driscoll administration's Transportation Funding Task Force and Chapter 90 Program Advisory Group, which led to a 50 percent increase overall to the Chapter 90 program. This included $200 million for the 351 municipalities using the existing funding formula, and an additional $100 million using a formula that removes the population element, which favors rural and small communities like Adams. That meant an additional $130,809 to Adams in fiscal year 2026.

Please join me in voting to re-elect Christine Hoyt on May 4 so that our town can continue to benefit from her experience.

Bernie Pinsonnault
Adams, Mass.

 

 

 

 

 

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