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Town Clerk Haley Meczywor swears in reserve Officer Dakota Baker as a full-time patrol officer.
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Adams Arts Advisory Committee member Francie Ann Riley gives Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco a wizard walking stick. She said the walking sticks will be sold at Harvest Fest this Saturday.

Adams Police Welcome New Officer

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen appointed Officer Dakota Baker on Wednesday as a full-time patrol officer.
 
"He has got a good head on his shoulders, and he takes a great pride in being a police officer," Police Chief Richard Tarsa told the board. "It is with great joy that I to welcome Dakota Baker to the ranks of the Adams Police Department."
 
Baker was brought on as a reserve officer in April, he said, adding he has never seen an officer progress so quickly and take advantage of opportunities. 
 
It was a team effort training Baker and many different officers had a hand in showing him the ropes, Tarsa said. Even his brother, Josh Baker, who is also on the force.
 
Tarsa said he has known Baker since he was a little kid and he has always been community orientated.
 
"I have seen him grow and mature, and he has always wanted to be a police officer and he has always been community orientated," the chief said. "He wants to give back to the town of Adams and what better way than to be a police officer."
 
The Board of Selectmen welcomed Baker to the force and congratulated him.
 
"Congratulations and thank you," Chairman Jeffrey Snoonian said. "If this is what you want to do with your life and give back to your home town that is awesome." 
 
Baker said he looked forward to serving his community. 
 
"Thank you again," Baker said. "This is my home town and I am looking forward to serving it." 
 
In other business, Mazzucco said the Memorial Building will soon be totally cleaned out and then retested for mold.
 
Because of concerns of mold in the building and whether it should be occupied, the Selectmen had asked that it be tested again.

Tags: Adams Police,   appointments,   

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Adams Community Bank Holds Annual Meeting, Announce Growth

ADAMS, Mass. — The annual meeting of the Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, MHC, the parent company of Adams Community Bank, was held on April 10, 2024, at Charles H. McCann Technical School in North Adams.
 
The meeting included reviewing the 2023 financial statements for the Bank, electing directors and corporators, and highlighting upcoming executive personnel changes.
 
"In 2023, the Bank experienced another year of growth in assets, loans, and deposits, noting the Pittsfield branch reached $26 million in customer deposits from its opening in December of 2022," President and CEO of Adams Community Bank Charles O'Brien said. "Those deposits were loaned out locally during 2023 and helped drive our #1 ranking in both mortgage and commercial real estate lending, according to Banker and Tradesman."
 
At year-end 2023, total assets were $995 million, and O'Brien noted the Bank crossed the $1 billion threshold during the first quarter of 2024.
 
Board chair Jeffrey Grandchamp noted with O'Brien's upcoming retirement, this will be the final annual meeting of the CEO's tenure since he joined the Bank in 1997. He thanked him for his 27 years of dedication to the Bank. He acknowledged the evolution of the Bank as it became the premier community bank in the Berkshires, noting that branches grew from 3 to 10, that employees grew from 40 to 135, and that assets grew from $127 million to $1 billion. 
 
An executive search is underway for O'Brien's replacement.
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