Adams Board of Health Asked To Draft Tobacco Ban

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Board of Health member Patricia Clarimont and Code Enforcement Officer Scott Kozcela discuss ongoing cases of health concern.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health dropped its push to eliminate electronic cigarettes because they had not seeped into town yet but on Wednesday, they were asked to reconsider.

Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington, who said he was not representing the Selectmen, asked the board to consider drafting bylaws to eliminate electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products.

He pointed to the recent ban in Pittsfield that limits pharmacies from selling tobacco products as a model.

North Adams has also voted for stricter tobacco regulations, including the sale of ecigarettes to youth.

"They're purchased like candy. They are being sold like candy in this community," Harrington said. "We need to take action in educating people and get them out of our community."

The Board of Health had previously considered banning electronic cigarettes when the product first hit the market in the Berkshire Mall. However, the members did not find them being sold in town and dropped their bid to outlaw them.

"I think that needs to happen. We need to get these products out of reach of the children," Harrington said.

Electronic cigarettes vaporize a nicotine solution for the user to inhale. The product comes in various flavors. Harrington said that there are all kinds of new and similar tobacco products hitting the market that can be marketed to children that he'd like to ban.

Electronic cigarette supporters claim the device is a tool to help smokers quit.


The board said they would look into the products again.

In a separate complaint, Harrington also said there is a health concern with residents not picking up after their dogs on town roads. He hoped the board could make some type of effort to remind people to clean up after their animals as well as asked if there can be an increased number of poop scoop bags around town.

"People are not picking up after their animals and it's getting worse," Harrington said. "We could use some more of those [bag distributors]."

The board shared stories of confronting people, citing that there is a bylaw allowing the town to fine those who allow their pets to poop on town streets without cleaning it up. However, it is difficult to catch the dog owners in the act. Board members said they will look into getting more locations for residents to get poop scoop bags.

The board also discussed ongoing health concern cases, mostly regarding residential units. However, member Roy Thompson said the legal process involved in cleaning up blight takes too long.

Thompson said he would like to bring the issue up with other boards of health to talk about how to expedite the process of cleaning blight, which could go as far as lobbying state legislators to change laws.

"We have to do something internally to have more strength or money to fix these houses," Thompson said. "The people that live next to these buildings should not be living like this."

Currently the town has the ability to demand cleanups or repairs if property owners do not comply with the codes. Failing that, town can go through a lengthy legal process to demolish the structure, the cost of which  falls onto the town.

Tags: blight,   board of health,   dogs,   poop,   tobacco regulations,   

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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