image description
The Jones Block is envisioned by town officials as a cornerstone to downtown revitalization.

Work Resumes On Adams' Jones Block

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
Photos courtesy of Polonia Restoration.
Recent work has included insulation, planning and inspections.
ADAMS, Mass. — Work on the Jones Block has resumed after town officials recently voiced concern over its progress.

According to Director of Community Development Donna Cesan, the developer sent an email to the town outlining a schedule for future work.

The outline, which is expected to be updated in two weeks, calls for the upstairs apartment to be completed by the end of May and the entire building to be renovated by the end of the year.

"He's really focused on trying to finish it up," Cesan said on Friday. "We conveyed to him a number of times that we want him to finish it."

Town officials were concerned with the project because work had stopped and the town was losing contact with developer Gerry Sanchez, president of Polonia Restoration.

Two years ago, the town used a $1 million grant for exterior work on the Park Street building, envisioning the historic building would be vital to its downtown revitalization plans — leaving some with a fear that the investment had gone to waste.

However, the Monday email has changed things in Town Hall. Cesan said the delays were caused partially in regard to finances. The local bank the developer was using had new personnel working on the project, she said, and they were sorting out finances with him.

"I've heard there has been a lot of talk with the bank," Cesan said.

In Monday's email to the town, Sanchez said he was scheduled to meet with the town building inspector to approve insulation and a vapor barrier so wallboard could be installed in the apartment.

He also outlined a series of interior work that has been completed since the last time he met with town officials. Sanchez was in a conference on Friday and could not elaborate on the work.

The completed work includes plumbing, insulation and vapor barriers in all of the first floor and preparation for the completion of the apartment.

Tags: Jones Block,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams-Cheshire Tops Great Barrington Behind Strong Pitching in Little League Opener

By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com Sports
DALTON, Mass. — Adams-Cheshire leaned on a dominant pitching performance and capitalized on its scoring opportunities to defeat Great Barrington 3-1 in a Don Gleason District 1 12U All-Star Tournament matchup on Wednesday.
 
The game opened as a pitchers’ duel, with both teams held scoreless through the first two innings. Great Barrington starter Julian Winters struck out the first two batters he faced before working around a two-out baserunner in the opening inning. Adams-Cheshire starter Maddox Milesi matched him with a clean first, retiring the side in order on a groundout and a pair of fly balls.
 
Adams-Cheshire threatened first in the second inning. Nate Mallet and Avry Decker worked walks before Danny Collins reached on a fielder’s choice and Lukas Benson drew another walk to load the bases. Great Barrington escaped the jam thanks to a heads-up defensive play from catcher Satchel Fisher, who threw out a runner attempting to score to end the inning and preserve the scoreless tie.
 
Great Barrington had an opportunity of its own in the bottom half after Hunter Havens singled and Ezekiel McLaughlin reached safely. With runners aboard, Milesi kept his composure and recorded the final out of the inning, ensuring neither team could capitalize through two frames.
 
The breakthrough came in the third. After Caleb Gladu was retired and Justin Mayotte Jr. struck out, Caden Stump extended the inning with a walk. Lador Lawson then drove a ball into the gap for an RBI triple, putting Adams-Cheshire on the board. Mason Kucka followed immediately with an RBI single to left, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage heading into the bottom half.
 
Lawson took over on the mound in the third and quickly established control. The right-hander struck out the side in his first inning of relief and continued to keep Great Barrington hitters off balance with a steady mix of strikes and soft contact. He allowed just one run over the final four innings while piling up nine strikeouts to preserve the lead.
 
Great Barrington broke through in the fourth. Ivey Weller led off with a single before showcasing some speed by stealing both second and third. A throw on the play skipped away, allowing Weller to score and trim the deficit to 2-1. Harlan Kohler later singled to keep the inning alive, but Lawson stranded the runner to maintain Adams-Cheshire’s one-run edge.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories