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The Board of Health believes debris left at the former mill falls within their purview.

Adams Board of Health to Inspect Debris at Curtis Paper Mill

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health will inspect reported debris left at the former Curtis Paper Mill.
 
The board heard last week from resident and Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District Program Coordinator Linda Cernik, who had concerns over the growing amount debris at the Howland Avenue mill.
 
"There are about 100 mattresses stored back there," she said. "Since August, it has been progressing and those are combustible materials."
 
Discussion sparked on social media last week when residents shared concerns over apparent activity at the mill.
 
Last year, the town pulled MJD Real Estate's operating permits. Owners Norman Dellaghelfa Jr. and Roberta Dellaghelfa, who used the facility for their trucking business, owe the town more than $450,000 in unpaid real estate and personal property taxes.
 
It was found that a dumpster business was storing some if its containers on the property, however, the town did not believe this to be a violation of the permit.
 
The Board of Health noted that the permitting issue is not under its purview but the storage of debris very well may be.
 
"It has not been on our radar and it has not come to us," board member Bruce Shepley said. "It's a health issue if it is solid waste and it is now on our radar."
 
In other business, the board also discussed the new transfer station that should be up in running by November.
 
"There are significant changes coming for use of the transfer station and we think they are positive," Shepley said. "It will be a better structure and I think it will help the town in many ways."
 
The town is overhauling the recycling center at the closed landfill on East Road to turn it into a full-service transfer station. The pay-as-you-throw system is designed to help offset the cost of the center and give residents a local trash removal option. 
 
Cernik said much of her time has been spent up at the transfer station educating users. 
 
"I was up there just educating the community and giving out information," she said. "People are excited ... it will be a one-stop shop." 
 
She noted that some are concerned about brush removal and did not want to purchase a permit to bring up a single load of leaves in the fall.
 
Cernik said a monthly permit may be allowed so if residents are only concerned about removing trash or brush for a limited amount of time, there is a cheaper option.

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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