ADAMS, Mass. — The town is taking bids on the repair or replacement of the Hoosac Valley Elementary School's boiler room roof.

 

Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco told the Selectmen last week that the deadline for subbidders is Sept. 13 and for general bidders, Sept. 20. He expects bids to start coming in for the roof on the former C.T. Plunkett School in the next few weeks.  

 

"We had the pre-bid walk-through [Wednesday] so I would say over the next couple of weeks they will start coming in," Mazzucco said.  

 

The roof has been in poor condition for years and town meeting had committed $30,000 in funds last year to its repair outside of the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District's budget.The condition of the roof became a contentious part of the debate over the closing of Cheshire Elementary School earlier this year, with some pointing to it as a reason to close Plunkett instead. 

 

Mazzucco said the town has the right to deny the bids, as with any bidding process, and go back out to bid if officials are unhappy with the cost or the bidders.

 

Selectman Joseph Nowak also asked Mazzucco if there will be any work done on the Town Hall roof this year.

 

"Have you made any headway with getting this roof replaced because winter is coming," Nowak said. 

 

Mazzucco said if all goes to plan, the roof work should be completed before snowfall. 

 

"We are close and we pushed the CTP roof project over the Town Hall," he said. "Right now, we are just waiting on the [Town Hall] clock tower analysis and those bid documents should be ready soon."

 

Nowak also asked if the town still plans to hire a seasonal meter reader.

 

The town agreed to hire a part-time employee to monitor the parking meters downtown.

 

Mazzucco said because the town had to wait for the appropriation and could hire the reader for the winter but it would make more sense to bring on the employee in the spring.  

 

In other business, Mazzucco noted that the position of Department of Public Works director has been posted.

 

For the past year, the position has been filled by an interim director, David Nuvallie, after former Director Joe Bettis resigned. 

 

The town agreed to hire a new permanent director after the interim director retired.

 

Chairman John Duval said it will be the selectmen's charge to hire the new director and they will outline the hiring process at a future meeting.