Dalton Invites Community Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan

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DALTON, Mass. — The Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee is seeking community input on the Hazard Mitigation Plan it has been working on updating over the last few months
 
The plan identifies and prioritizes strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change on our community.
 
There will be an open comment period until Tuesday, May 7, during which residents can share their perspectives to inform the plan. 
 
The committee said public engagement lies at the core of the Hazard Mitigation Plan and that it is imperative it reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of community members as the town moves to mitigate risks posed by natural hazards and climate change. 
 
The public can review and comment on the plan online and copies are available in person at the Town Hall. 
 
Town officials and local stakeholders developed this plan with funding support from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
 
A number of town officials from various committees and departments have been working with the consultant to discuss the area's hazards and update the hazard mitigation plan to minimize the risk to people, property, and the environment. 
 
In addition, the goal of the plan is to increase the town's capacity and promote a hazard mitigation culture in the community through education, regulations, planning, and collaboration with neighboring regions.
 
Departments and committees, or commissions, involved in this process included the Water, Building and Ground departments; Police, Fire, and Health departments; Conservation Commission members, and other town officials.
 
Once implemented, the Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed to make the town more resilient to natural hazards such as flooding, snowstorms, high winds, and extreme temperatures. 
 
Once approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and adopted by the town, the plan will allow Dalton to apply for pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant funds.

Tags: hazard mitigation,   

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Pittsfield Man Sentenced On Multiple Rape, Indecent Assault Charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Wednesday, May 15 Douglas Agyeh, age 44 ofPittsfield, pleaded guilty to 23 charges. 
 
Agyeh pleaded guilty to:
  • 5 counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Over 14
  • 9 counts of Rape of a Child with Force
  • 9 counts of Rape of a Child, Aggravated by Age
The Defendant was sentenced to 10 to 12 years for the charges of rape and 3 to 5 years concurrent for the charges of indecent assault and battery. The Defendant will serve his sentence in state prison.
 
According to a report, in 2021 Agyeh was employed at a residential school for youth. Over a period of several weeks Agyeh was responsible for monitoring a student's safety as they (singular) slept.  During this time, he raped the student. In a separate incident, Agyeh was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a student under the guise of helping the student fold their (singular) laundry.
 
The Defendant was originally set to stand trial on January 30, 2023 but fled to Canada in attempt to avoid justice. The Defendant was arrested as he entered Canda. The Berkshire District Attorney's Office worked closely with the United States Department of Justice and Canadian authorities to successfully extradite the Defendant back to Massachusetts. Authorities allege the Defendant was traveling to Canda in an attempt to return to Ghana, Agyeh's native country.
 
The Great Barrington Police Department served as the lead law enforcement agency in the case. The Department of Justice and Canadian law enforcement agencies assisted the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, including the State Police Detective Unit, in the extradition of the Defendant.
 
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Giarolo represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as a victim witness advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center played a central role in the investigation. Emily Zoltan was the Multidisciplinary Team Leader in coordinating the law enforcement response.
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