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

Work Resumes On Adams' Jones Block

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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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.

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Adams Fire Plans to Keep Public Informed on Station

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ADAMS, Mass. — The Prudential Committee hopes to invite the public to see the fire station and explain its needs.

The Fire District is trying to address the deteriorating building and is moving forward with a needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects, a company that specializes in public safety design. The $8,000 for this was approved at the annual meeting earlier this year. 

The first order of the process is the space needs assessment. Fire Chief David Lennon and Water Superintendent John Barrett at the July 27 meeting discussed inviting the public to tour the building as they start the assessment.

In other news, the Fire Department hired a full-time firefighter and three on-call firefighters.

The board discussed new jackets for employees who are 65 and older to signify and distinguish them when at a scene. This is to prevent the Fire Department from running afoul of a state law mandating retirement of active firefighters at age 65. 

The district is also still mulling expanding the district townwide. It currently does not cover areas of the town that are not on the water system but the Fire Department responds to any fire and emergency calls within the town's borders. 

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