Adams Bank VP Retires After 37 Years

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Allyn Basel

ADAMS, Mass. — Allyn Basel, senior vice president of Adams Community Bank, retired after 37 years with the institution.  
Basel began her banking career in 1974 at what was then Adams Co-Operative Bank after graduating from the former North Adams State College with a bachelor of science degree.

She started as a teller for the bank's Park Street branch in Adams and was promoted to customer service representative shortly afterward. From there, she moved into a variety of roles and was one of the bank's senior officers responsible for retail operations, information technology, compliance and bank security administration.

In 1996, she was promoted to vice president of the institution — a position she held until being promoted to senior vice president in 2011, the same year Adams Co-Operative and South Adams Savings merged into Adams Community Bank.

"Allyn has been the epitome of a dedicated employee," said Joseph F. Truskowski Jr., president of Adams Community Bank. "Her priority has always been our bank and our customers — no matter what needed to be done, it was always accomplished impeccably with the highest attention to detail."

Basel has been actively involved with the Northern Berkshire United Way as well as volunteering for many other Northern Berkshire community organizations. Upon her retirement, she intends to spend more time with her family.

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Adams Review Library, COA and Education Budgets

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed the public services, Hoosac Valley Regional School District and McCann Technical School budgets on Tuesday. 
 
The workshop at the Adams Free Library was the third of four joint sessions to review the proposed $19 million fiscal 2025 budget. The first workshop covered general government, executive, finance and technology budgets; the second public works, community development and the Greylock Glen. 
 
The Council on Aging and library budgets have increases for wages, equipment, postage and software. The Memorial Day budget is level-funded at $1,450 for flags and for additional expenses the American Legion might have; it had been used to hire bagpipers who are no longer available. 
 
The COA's budget is up 6.76 percent at $241,166. This covers three full-time positions including the director and five regular per diem van drivers and three backup drivers. Savoy also contracts with the town at a cost of $10,000 a year based on the number of residents using its services. 
 
Director Sarah Fontaine said the governor's budget has increased the amount of funding through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs from $12 to $14 per resident age 60 or older. 
 
"So for Adams, based on the 2020 Census data, says we have 2,442 people 60 and older in town," she said. "So that translates to $34,188 from the state to help manage Council on Aging programs and services."
 
The COA hired a part-time meal site coordinator using the state funds because it was getting difficult to manage the weekday lunches for several dozen attendees, said Fontaine. "And then as we need program supplies or to pay for certain services, we tap into this grant."
 
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