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The Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival expanded in 2017.
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John Pansecchi took over as fire chief.
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Ashuwillticook Rail Trail was expanded.
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Christine Hoyt was elected to the Board of Selectmen.
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Paul Goyette retired from the Fire Department.
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The town went after the owners of the former Curtis Paper Mill.

Adams: 2017 In Review

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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The Board of Selectmen said goodbye to Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco, who is leaving the post to take a job in Norwood.
ADAMS, Mass. — The town of Adams saw many changes in 2017 but was able to keep its elementary school open after the consolidation of the Adams Cheshire Regional School District.
 
With the downsizing of the ACRSD, Adams and Cheshire were pit against each other in meetings leading up to the vote to close either CT Plunkett or Cheshire Elementary School.
 
With a school committee vote of 4-3 down town lines in March, Cheshire Elementary School closed and Plunkett now houses grades pre-k through three. All other grades are now at Hoosac Valley.
 
This furthered the rift between the two communities but both communities are now working together to amend the antiquated district agreement.  
 
In a rebranding effort, the School Committee voted to rename the school Hoosac Valley Elementary, which generated some anger among Adams residents who felt the committee did not have the right to remove the name of one of the town’s historical residents who helped fund the construction of the school that opened in 1924.
 
Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco, who was pivotal in efforts to keep the school open, also left the town in December after his three-year contract expired. Mazzucco, who took the position of general manager in Norwood, decided to leave Adams to be closer to his home.
 
Mazzucco helped build up a more sustainable budget as well as a more transparent budget process over his tenure. He also was an advocate for arts groups and new town events such as the Harry Potter-inspired MAGICON, which took place this summer.
 
Although the town saw new events such as MAGICON and the improved Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival this year, it also said goodbye to cornerstone events the Fall Run and Bike Night. Organizer Mike Roberts, owner of Custom City Cycles, decided to end the event after 35 rides and more than $500,000 raised for charity.
 
Mazzucco also led the charge against the former Curtis Paper Mill, on Howland Avenue, which the town is in the process of taking for almost $500,000 in unpaid taxes. Mazzucco also helped push through the demolition order of 50 Commercial St., which was found to be a danger to the public in housing court.
 
The town will tear down the building next year.
 
The town is in the process of searching for a new town administrator and currently, Director of Community Development Donna Cesan is filling in as interim town administrator.
 
The Board of Selectmen changed this year with new Selectwoman Christine Hoyt, who won the vacant seat left by Jeffrey Snoonian. Snoonian opted not to seek re-election.
 
Selectman Arthur “Skip” Harrington also resigned from the board this year but his seat is being left unfilled until the 2018 election.
 
The town also welcomed a new Fire Chief John Pansecchi. He replaces Paul Goyette, who decided to retire.
 
The town also finished the Berkshire Scenic Railway, which was cut short last year after state funds ran dry. In 2016 the state ponied up $2.6 million to fund the last stretch of track.
 
The town is now perusing the construction of a passenger platform which they hope to begin in the new year.
 
In the spring of 2017, the town also celebrated the completion of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail extension project, which brought the trail another 1.2 miles through Adams from Hoosac Street to Lime Street. 
 
The town also saw some progress at the Greylock Glen with the completion of the Meadow Loop trail. In 2018, the town will focus on designing and making progress on the outdoor center at the Glen.  
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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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