Adams Selectmen Close Warrant, Approve Special Town Meeting Articles
 The Selectmen last week approved three articles for a special town meeting set for April 30. |
ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen have approved three articles for a special town meeting and closed the warrant.
Town meeting members will determine on April 30 an easement on contaminated land, temporary land acquisitions for the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and a municipal aggregation plan.
The Selectmen approved the three articles at last week's workshop meeting. The board voted to suspend workshop meeting rules, which normally do not allow board authorizations, to ratify the time sensitive articles.
Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington said Article 1 will be to see if the town will grant an easement and a declaration of restricted covenant on a Columbia Street property to Massachusetts Electric Co. (National Grid) to record the notice of activity and use limitations in regards to property.
Harrington said this property is the park area in front of the Memorial Building. He said tests have found that contamination may have leaked across the street from the electrical substation.
Article 2 will see if the town will acquire or take by eminent domain easements needed for the construction and maintenance of the rail trail extension from Hoosac Street to Lime Street. These easements will also accommodate the Berkshire Scenic Railway.
Director of Community Development Donna Cesan said these parcels are on both town and private property and are not all permanent, but mostly land needed temporarily for construction.
She said Community Development is still in the process of securing easements. All land owners have a right to compensation and appraisals, she said, and they have been made aware of this and have been supportive of the project.
"We are in various stages of discussions and meetings with people and it is definitely a process," Cesan said. "Most people are aware of the project, and they know that it is coming. People have been very supportive."
Cesan said many of these easements will be lifted when the project is completed or after a three-year period.
Article 3 will see if the town will initiate the energy aggregation process.
Because of the recent increase in electricity rates, many towns and cities have joined municipal electrical aggregation plans that allow residents to purchase power from another provider at a cheaper rate.
Although all residents would initially be within the town group, they can opt out at any time and look for another source.
The special town meeting will be Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in the C.T. Plunkett Auditorium.
Tags: easements, electrical aggregation, special town meeting, town meeting warrant,
