18 Degrees Invites Pittsfield Residents to Community Meetings

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – 18 Degrees announced two upcoming community meetings designed to share information about available supports and services, and to mobilize residents around collective safety & well-being.   

Residents are invited to attend either of the following sessions:

Sept. 29 from 4:30-6:30 pm at 18 Degrees, 480 West St, Pittsfield

Sept. 30 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the former Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank St, Pittsfield

Each meeting will follow a community café structure, bringing residents together in small-group conversations about Pittsfield's strengths, challenges, and opportunities for collective action to ensure that every community member's voice is heard and valued. 

These community mobilization meetings were requested by the City Council and build on 18 Degrees' existing outreach efforts. They are the first in a planned series, as meaningful change takes time and ongoing engagement. 18 Degrees is committed to continuing this community mobilization beyond the initial meetings because promoting safety and reducing violence depend on the involvement and partnership of the entire community. 

"Consistent with our mission to champion access, opportunity, well-being, and belonging for all people, 18 Degrees will coordinate these meetings as welcoming, solutions-oriented forums. The purpose will be to confirm how community members can access supports, how concerns can be elevated, and how residents can participate in efforts to promote safety and positive change," President and CEO Stephanie Steed wrote.  

18 Degrees welcomes Pittsfield residents to join these important conversations. Community participation is valued and will help inform ongoing outreach and support. 

 


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Hinsdale Select Board Comes to Heated Ending

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
HINSDALE, Mass. — A Select Board meeting came to an abrupt end after a public comment period was cut short following a heated exchange between a board member and the audience. 
 
The board's agenda items on Sept. 9, most notably to "discuss and vote" on an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by iBerkshires and the "discussion and possible action regarding the appointment of David Tarjick" as a police officer were expected to create some discussion.
 
The town has faced criticism from community members since the fatal police shooting of 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil last January. 
 
The Wednesday meeting was filmed and uploaded to YouTube by Julia Kurek, a nursing student and mental health advocate.  
 
Kurek, who is not a Hinsdale resident, has been working to create an open letter with policy recommendations alongside several Hinsdale community members, particularly with Kauvil's family, in addition to public safety professionals. 
 
At the end of the meeting, when the board called for public comment, Kurek requested to speak and said she had attended Daigle Law Group's community information session on its organizational analysis of the Police Department.
 
She urged the board to take the community's concerns and recommendations on policy reform seriously, arguing that the town could face challenges recruiting new personnel unless officials begin implementing meaningful changes and taking initiative on reform.
 
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