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Hinsdale Select Board enters executive session on police staffing, hires outside law firm for review
Summary
The Select Board entered executive session under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(1) to discuss police-department personnel matters and noted several officers on medical leave while naming an outside firm, Daigle Law Group, to investigate departmental policies and procedures.
The Hinsdale Select Board entered executive session on May 13, 2026, under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(1) to discuss the reputation, character, or physical or mental health of an individual and did not plan to return to open session, the board recorded. Chair Margaret Gregory moved to enter executive session, Ray Huntoon seconded, and both voted in favor on the required roll call.
In executive session the board discussed Police Department staffing and medical leaves. The transcript records that part-time Officer Keith Avalle has been cleared to return to duty. The board also noted that Sergeant Dom Crupi is on medical leave and hopes to return during the first week of July pending medical clearance and recertification, and that Officer Jeffrey Spratt is on medical leave. Chief Shawn Boyne remained on medical leave, and his doctor indicated a possible return date of July 29, 2026. The meeting transcript contains slightly different staffing counts in different places (the department was described earlier as having one full-time officer and three part-time officers; in executive session the transcript cites one full-time officer and two additional part-time officers).
Town Administrator Bob Graves told the board the town has contracted with Eric Daigle of the Daigle Law Group to conduct an independent investigation into Police Department policies and procedures. Graves said the town engaged an independent firm based on guidance from the Massachusetts POST Commission and legal counsel; the transcript notes that that decision was later reaffirmed by Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue during an April 14, 2026, press conference. The board discussed the impending July 8 expiration of the shared-chief agreement with the nearby town of Peru and noted the town must notify Peru by June 1 whether it wishes to extend Acting Chief Bruce Cullett's contract.
The board adjourned at 8:15 p.m. on a motion by Ray Huntoon and a second by Margaret Gregory. No formal personnel action or vote was recorded in the transcript during open session; the substantive matters were discussed in executive session and the board did not return to public session to report additional actions.
Next steps: the board must decide by June 1 whether to extend the shared-chief agreement with Peru; the independent review by the Daigle Law Group is expected to begin soon and was described as following POST Commission guidance.
