Adams COA Could Move To Visitors Center By Fall
ADAMS, Mass. — Town Administrator Jonathan Butler hopes to have the Discover the Berkshires Visitors' Center ready for the Council on Aging by September.Butler told the Selectmen on Wednesday night that the schematic plans for construction to create a large space in the building for the COA will begin during the summer.
"We're ready to put it into formal engineering plans and get it out to bid. We're still on schedule. We're looking at construction during the summer months and being completed in early September," Butler said.
Voters still have to approve $80,000 set aside in the next budget for the construction at town meeting later this month.
The Council on Aging will take up part of the building but the main display area is expected to be redone by representatives from the Thunderbolt Ski Runners. Butler said he will be allocating funds from previous grants that were earmarked for the center to renovate that.
Meanwhile, the town is still seeking a volunteer group to run the visitors' center for this summer. The deadline for interest is Friday and Butler said interviews will be conducted next week.
"I do have a couple applications," Butler said. "I'm hoping by the next time the Board of Selectmen meet, we'll be under contract."
In other business, Butler assured residents on Columbia Street that the waterway the town cleaned after Hurricane Irene is being monitored. Residents are worried about sediment building up as it had previously, causing severe flooding during the storm. Butler said the town is monitoring it on a monthly basis.
Edmund St. John IV, speaking on behalf of town counsel, said he is still finishing up easements with land owners in the Corporate Park to allow the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to be extended. Butler said he hopes to have the easements in front of the Selectmen by Wednesday.
Tags: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, COA, visitors center,