Adams Appoints Temporary Town Clerk
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Town Clerk Paul Hutchinson informed the Selectmen at town meeting in June that he would be retiring after 28 years in the position.
MacDonald, an elected assessor, has agreed to allow the town to use her name as signatory for birth, death and other records, said Town Administrator Jonathan Butler, while the administrative assistant continues to run the department. "The office is going to run the same way as if Hutchinson was on vacation."
The town has already posted the position and received a number of applications. Butler expected an interim clerk to be appointed quickly. After the meeting, the Selectmen were coordinating a schedule for interviews.
Anyone filling the position would serve until the next town election in May. Butler said the clerk's salary is set by town meeting so he expected the interim would be paid at the same rate. MacDonald, meanwhile, has offered to fill the spot without extra pay while continuing in her own position as full-time assessor.
"I personally think she's a great choice," said Chairman Michael Ouellette.
Hutchinson's retirement also left the veterans' agent position vacant. Hutchinson had taken on the duty along with being town clerk after the last agent retired some years ago.
To fill the spot, the town has entered into an informal agreement to create a veterans district that will allow the sharing of an agent with North Adams and Williamstown.
The newly hired veterans agent in North Adams, David Robbins, will work mornings in the city and two afternoons for 2 1/2 hours each in each town. Veterans within the district will have access to the agent at any of the locations. Adams will be charged off the agent's base and his health insurance, or about $5,000 to $6,000 a year, said Butler.
"That's ideal. I think this is one thing for regionalization I think I can easily go along with," said Selectwoman Paula I. Melville.
Butler said Mayor Richard Alcombright had kept the leaders of both towns informed during the hiring process and that both he and Williamstown Town Manager Peter Fohlin reviewed applications.
"We're going to be able to offer better services at lower cost," said Butler. "It's sort of like first steps toward bigger things."
A more formal agreement will be signed once all the language is set and reviewed.
The board also:
►Authorized town counsel to take the next legal step against MJD Real Estate LLC, which bought the former Curtis Fine Papers property last year. Attorney Edmund St. John III said he would confirm statements that MJD had not been making its $2,000 monthly payments to clear its tax debt. If it were in default of its agreement with the town, the town can institute interest and penalties waived in the agreement and withold permits. Curtis owed nearly a half-million back taxes, penalties and fees.
►Approved a change in use to allow children to ride bikes at the Renfrew Skate Park, pending town counsel's review of liability. Selectman Scott Ingalls expressed concern that the park was not being supervised enough and that the kids wear helmets. Butler said the park is "use at your own risk" to avoid liability.
►Was invited by Corinne Case to attend an Adams Mobilizing for Change in Alcohol meeting next Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 at the police station. Case said the group, part of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, is working on preventing teen drinking. Jeff Harness will be speaking about the "prepared prevention community" concept; Case said federal funding for such projects will be available next year.
►Was told a master plan meeting will be held at a date to be announced in August that is expected to review energy and an open space survey done this past winter and a notice of intent on work on the flood control chutes is expected to ready in 10 days. Heard complaints about the several stones in Bellevue Cemetery.
