Adams Police Bring On Local Reserve Officers
ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen ratified two new reserve officers to serve on the Police Department.
Police Chief Richard Tarsa introduced Adams residents Benjamin Alibozek and Dakota Baker to the Selectmen on Wednesday.
"This is one of the parts of the job that I really enjoy because we are ushering in some new blood to the profession," Tarsa said. "The common words found to describe these two young men were knowledgeable, eager, dependable, hard working, level-headed, squared-away, and natural leader ... both of them are very hard working."
Tarsa said both have been through the reserve academy and both are committed to the job and the town. Alibozek actually interned with the Adams Police Department while in college.
"It is a huge commitment for both of them. Just the reserve academy alone is 315 hours of classroom that they have to take and work around their full-time jobs," Tarsa said. "It shows you their determination and their grit."
Tarsa said Alibozek and Baker both have a long road ahead of them and will never stop learning throughout their careers.
"I can guarantee you if they make a career out of this and they go 35 years they will be learning right until the final day they walk out and retire," he said. "It's a never-ending learning experience. I have been on the job 33 years and I am still learning."
The board also adopted a policy that would allow all members of town boards to participate in meetings via remote participation. This allows board members to attend meetings through a conference call or video chat if they physically cannot attend a meeting.
"It's not meant to take place of going to the meeting ... the board chair has to approve the excuse if you will," Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said. "It might just be someone is out of town for work but they can still can participate in the meeting."
Mazzucco said town boards would still need a physical quorum. Town Hall phones have conferencing ability but boards can also use their own conference equipment if they want, such as laptops, tablets, or conference speakers.
Selectman Jeffrey Snoonian said although it is better to be at a meeting in person, it will be good to have the option.
"Most meetings I went through throughout my career were mostly conference call meetings, and they ran from 10 minutes to two-hour meetings," he said. "Being here personally does make a difference for me and it will be interesting to see who the first guinea pig is, but it will be good to have the option."
In other business:
• The Selectmen voted to support the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership, a Berkshire Regional Planning Commission-driven project that would provide 21 municipalities in Berkshire and Franklin counties with financial and technical resources to increase economic development through sustainable forestry practices.
Thomas Matusko, of BRPC, said this is the first of a two-step process. The vote only will show state legislators that Adams supports the program. If the legislation passes, communities will be asked to officially opt in.
• Mazzucco said Department of Public Work crews should be filling in pot holes early next week. He said there has been a delay because the Pittsfield plant has not opened yet.
A hot box and the asphalt recycler will be purchased to patch potholes with recycled material in-house.
"That means next year we won't have to wait so late in the year to fix potholes," Mazzucco said.
• Tarsa warned residents that there is scam IRS call going around town soliciting residents for money and threatening arrest.
"I can assure you that this is a scam because they aren't even creative enough to call the local police department by name," he said. "If you receive such a message please don't fall victim to it."
He added that the annual spring medication drop off will take place April 23 from 10 to 2. Residents can bring expired or medication to the police station kiosk. Any sharps, such as needles, must be sealed off in an empty soda bottle.
Tags: Adams Police, forestland, potholes, scam, state forest,
