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Lawrence Robert, longtime DPW worker, is congratulated on his retirement by the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday.
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Adams Acknowledges DPW Employee After 39 Years Of Service

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Robert is presented a copy of the street sign that will mark the entrance to the Department of Public Works. 

ADAMS, Mass. — The town acknowledged longtime Department of Public Works operator Larry Robert, who is retiring after serving the town for 39 years.

Residents, family members and coworkers applauded Robert on Wednesday for his service to the town and the Selectmen read a proclamation to commemorate his almost four decades of work.

"He has faithfully served the town of Adams for 39 years, he has served the town of Adams with dedication and distinction for 39 years and he has been a dependable and a highly-esteemed member of the department of public works," Chairman Jeffrey Snoonian said at Wednesday's meeting. "He has worked collaboratively and wholeheartedly with town departments and citizens alike."

Snoonian presented Robert with a plaque and said the road going into the DPW facility will now be known as Robert Drive. Robert was also given an eponymous street sign of his own to hang in his garage.


Snoonian went on to read a proclamation from the Selectmen.  

"The Board of Selectmen of the town of Adams hereby recognize the remarkable achievements of Mr. Lawrence Robert throughout his time with the town of Adams and acknowledge the innumerable contributions to the maintenance of the community," Snoonian read. "The Selectmen join the citizens of Adams in expressing their sincere appreciation for his many accomplishments and extend their best wishes for a well-deserved and enjoyable retirement."

Robert plans to retire Jan. 15 so if the roads need plowing, the DPW will still have him on staff for a few more days.
 


Tags: recognition event,   retirement,   

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School Budget Has Cheshire Pondering Prop 2.5 Override

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen voted to schedule a Proposition 2.5 override vote, a move seen as a precaution to cover funding for the Hoosac Valley Regional School District if an agreement between the school and town cannot be reached.
 
The town's 2025 fiscal year budget is still being finalized, and while budget totals were not available as of Tuesday night, town leaders have already expressed concerns regarding the HVRSD's proposed $23 million budget, which would include a $3,097,123 assessment for Cheshire, reflecting a $148,661 increase.
 
The board did share that its early budget drafts maintain most town spending at current levels and defer several projects and purchases. Chairman Shawn McGrath said with a level-funded HVRSD budget, Cheshire would face a $165,838 budget gap. He believed this was an amount the town could safely pull from free cash and reserves.
 
However, with Hoosac's proposed budget increase, this budget gap is closer to $316,000, an amount member Jason Levesque did not want to drain from the town reserves. 
 
"I am not comfortable blowing through all of the stuff we have nitpicked over the last couple of years to save up for just to meet their budget," he said. "I am not OK with that. We have way too many other things that have been kicked down the road forever and every year they always get their check cashed."
 
The Selectmen agreed the only way to meet this increase would be for the town to pass an override that would permit it to increase property taxes beyond the state's 2.5 percent cap, an action requiring approval from Cheshire residents in a townwide vote as well as town meeting approval.
 
Selectwoman Michelle Francesconi said that without an override, the town would have to cut even deeper into the municipal budget, further derailing town projects and needs.
 
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