Adams Considering Moving Polling Station Out of Garage
 |
ADAMS, Mass. – Town officials are considering moving voting back to the Memorial Building.
The polling location was moved to the Department of Public Works garage on Summer Street when the building was closed as a school several years ago.
Selectman Arthur "Skip" Harrington took the opportunity during board announcements on Wednesday night to recommend going back to the former school building.
He said the garage, used Tuesday for the presidential primary, has flickering lights, is dark and drafty, and the road is dangerous.
"Usually the police do a really good job, and I don't want to be critical of the police, but there were no cones or speed limit signs out there," Harrington said. "I talked to one of the fellows out there holding a sign and he said there were several near misses."
He said the Memorial Building is handicapped accessible, has plenty of parking, and safer road conditions, since its off Valley Street. He added that he would also like to hold town meeting there, too, if the town can get the auditorium up to snuff.
Mazzucco said holding the election at the garage also takes up a lot of DPW time. It took two days of moving equipment and cleaning to prepare for voting on Tuesday.
Also on Wednesday, the town administrator was authorized to lock in the lowest electricity rate for 18 months with no preference as to energy source.
Although Mazzucco provided them with many green options, the Selectmen wanted for the cheapest option.
"I think we need to save for our community members and the people that are paying these high bills as much as we can," Harrington said. "I think most people in town really don't care if we use green energy ... I think they just wont the lowest price they could possibly have."
Last year, town meeting passed a warrant article that would allow the town to join an electrical aggregation other than what National Grid provides in hopes of finding a better rate.
The town pays 13 cents per kilowatt through National Grid. Mazzucco said many of the green options would be far less, but the energy is not directly coming from renewable sources.
"If we say we are going with the solar option that amount of solar energy is generated and it is allocated but it doesn't mean a solar field, that might be in Northern Vermont, actually puts the energy on the grid and transfers it directly to Adams," Mazzucco said.
Selectmen Jeffrey Snoonian urged residents to contact the board if they have a preferred source.
Residents can opt out of whatever the town decides.
Also, the selectmen finally signed off on the Fire District agreement that would allow the Fire Department to legally fight fires outside of the district.
"This has been hanging around for a while now, and I think it is going to benefit the town as a whole," Richard Kleiner representing the Fire District, said. "Although the Fire Department would respond to a call outside of the district, there were liability issues and when the town signs this agreement they are alleviating our district of any liability issues that may occur when fighting a fire."
The Fire District approached the town with the same agreement last year, asking for an annual bill from residents outside of the district. After conversations, the town offered to foot the bill, however this agreement has no charge whatsoever.
In other business, the board appointed Donald Torrico as the alternative building commissioner to aid the current alternative commissioner while the town secures a full-time employee. Torrico will be paid $50 an hour, the standard contract rate.
"We need to keep the office up and functioning until we can get a permanent replacement," Mazzucco said.
The town has offered someone the job and is waiting for a response.
• Selectman Joseph Nowak asked the board to support signage on Mount Greylock informing people that they are in Adams. This would have to go through the state and the Mount Greylock Advisory Committee. He suggested maybe a sign on the road up and on the summit.
Mazzucco agreed and said because there is no road leading to the summit in Adams visitors often think they are somewhere else.
"I think the board voting to request signage would give us the backing to do it," Mazzucco said. "I think it is critical for the town. How many people visit Mount Greylock every year and don't know they are in Adams? We want to capitalize on it."
• The joint Selectmen and Finance Committee budget meetings will take place March 21 through March 24 at 6 at the Visitors Center. The preliminary budget should be online Monday.
• Adams Arts Advisory Board member Francie Anne Riley said the Berkshire Mountains Fairy Festival will be held in late June at Bowe Field, but the board is in need of materials for costumes and decorations.
Riley said any kind of odd fabric or craft materials that could be considered fairy like would be greatly appreciated. People can drop off "odds and ends" at Izzy's Diner.
Anyone who wants to volunteer can contact the board via Facebook or artsinadams@gmail.com.
Tags: electrical aggregation,
