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Travis McCarthy, representing Berkshire Gas, shows the Conservation Commission planned changes the utilities is making.

Adams Conservation Commission Approve Gas Main Improvements

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Conservation Commission approved Berkshire Gas' request to make improvements to a Commercial Street gas main. 
 
Travis McCarthy, representing Berkshire Gas, asked the commission Thursday to approve a notice of intent to make improvements to a bridge-mounted gas main on Commercial Street.
 
He said currently the 6-inch, steel-coated main is turned off but it would service Grove Street and part of Prospect Street.
 
McCarthy said Berkshire Gas plans to eliminate an underground regulator system on Columbia Street near the former Memorial Middle School to help upgrade the facilities within the town to a low-pressure system. 
 
"We are looking to upgrade our facilities by getting rid of Columbia Street regulation pit, which is vault underground," he said. "It is very old and we want to get rid of it so one of the back feeds we want to utilize is this existing main we have under the bridge."
 
He said either a new main will be inserted into the old one or it will be lined. They will access the main from both sided of the roadway.
 
Commissioner James Fassell said within the application there is 20 order of conditions, many of which are not even applicable to the project. He said the project is pretty "boilerplate" and there are few conservation concerns.
 
McCarthy said he wanted to reach out to the commission just to be safe because the company was still crossing a waterway.
 
He added that with the elimination of the Columbia Street regulator station, Berkshire Gas plans to install two above-ground regulator stations. One will be at the intersection of Spring Street and the other on Gavin Avenue. 
 
"They look like the typical green utility boxes," he said. "I am moving to make them dark green. I want them to be a little more appealing so they are less of an eyesore."
 
Fassell thanked McCarthy for keeping the commission informed. 
 
"It is for our information, and I am happy that they are coming to us so we know what is going on if someone were to ask or complain," he said.  
 
The commission also welcomed new member Brian Bishop, who was appointed by the Selectmen last week.
 
"Brian Bishop is crazy enough to be part of us and he is going to fit right in," Fassell joked. 

Tags: berkshire gas,   conservation & recreation,   gas line,   

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Adams Sees No Races So Far

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — With less than a week left before nomination papers are due, there are currently no contested seats.
 
Only selectman incumbent John Duval has returned papers. Selectman Howard Rosenberg has decided not to seek re-election. 
 
Rosenberg, who was elected in 2021, said he has chosen not to run again to make room for younger candidates.
 
"I feel strongly, we need younger people running for public office,  as the future of our town lies within the younger  generation. The world is so fundamentally different today and rapidly changing to become even more so. I believe we need people who are less interested in trying to bring back the past, then in paving the way for a promising future. The younger generation can know that they can stay here and have a voice without having to leave for opportunities elsewhere," he said.
 
The only person to return papers so far is former member the board Donald Sommer. Sommer served as a selectman from 2007 to 2010 and before that was a member of the School Committee and the Redevelopment Authority. He ran unsuccessfully for selectman in 2019 and again in 2021 but dropped out of before the election.
 
Incumbent Moderator Myra Wilk and Town Clerk Haley Meczywor have returned papers for their respective positions.
 
Assessor Paula Wheeler has returned papers and incumbents James Loughman and Eugene Michalenko have returned papers for library trustees.
 
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