Adams Selectmen Set New Town Goals
 The Selectmen are focusing on a strategic plan to further develop the town's economy and better communications with the public. |
ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectman ran through some goals they have for Adams during their workshop meeting on Wednesday.
Selectmen Jeffrey Snoonian and John Duval agreed both agreed that the town should focus on creating a strategic plan to better position Adams in the next five to 10 years.
"I would rather be five years ahead of things than reacting to things," Snoonian said. "I would like to get ahead of these things and ... not and wait for stuff to hit the fan so we have to scramble and try to figure out what to do."
He said he would like to see Adams, as the biggest town in Berkshire County, as a leader in the County.
"I think the fact that we are facing a lot these problems is an opportunity to show what we are doing and to get calls from Lanesborough or other communities when they are going through something," he said.
Snoonian said he would like this plan to be very public.
Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said he plans to start the strategic plan process this summer.
Selectman Arthur "Skip"Harrington said he would like the town to have better communication about things happening with the public and other communities.
"People don't understand, and they have no idea what running a town is all about and what good things are happening," Harrington said. "The only thing they react to is the bad things which seems to be the only things to make it to Facebook and social media."
He said the town needs to find facilitate this, whether it be through community television or more public meetings
Selectman John Duval asked that the budget subcommittee start working on the budget with the town administrator even sooner
"We can really dig deeper into the budget and identify where we can be more efficient and save and do things differently," he said.
Chairman Richarad Blanchard said he would like to focus on continuing strong lines of communication with surrounding communities.
"We could get a little more involved in the other communities and have more back and forth," he said.
Selectman Joseph Nowak said he would like to focus on the completion of current town projects.
"I think that we have a lot of shoes to tie and we have lot of projects going," Nowak said. "I think some are coming to fruition and some are stalled, and I think we have a lot on our plate. I would like to see the finalization of a lot these projects."
Mazzucco said he will bring forward a motion at the next Selectmen's meeting to create the economic development commission that will focus on growing the town’s economy by bringing in business.
He said the committee will still be created even if town meeting does not pass the local meals and lodging tax, although the lack of funding will "handicap" the commission.
Mazzucco said he also was approached by local artists who wanted to create a town Arts Advisory Board.
"It will be informal and advisory in nature but gives them sort of a route to go out to promote art and artistic events in the community," he said. "I think it is a great indication that artists are interested in the community and are starting to get organized, and I think there is a lot that we can gain from it."
Tags: economic development, strategic plan,
