Five Running For Selectman in Adams

ADAMS, Mass. — The race for the Board of Selectmen is on with five candidates vying for two seats this May.

Up for election is a three-year term currently held by John Duval and a second three-year term that was vacated with the resignation of Arthur "Skip" Harrington last year.

James Bush, Heather Marie Cachat, Wayne Piaggi and Donald Sommer will be on the ballot this year.

The two highest vote-getters will win the seats and at least one of the challengers will be seated. However, it won't necessarily be a new face as Sommer has previously served on the board. He served one-term but failed to win re-election in 2010 and 2013. 

There are no other races on the ballot this year and although there are some new faces running, they are running unopposed.

Mike Mucci Jr. will run for the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District unopposed and Lisa Gazaille will run for the Planning Board unopposed.

There are three open seats on the Parks Commission. Incumbent James Fassell will run for re-election and newcomers Cynthia Bird and Jacob Levesque will run for the remaining two seats.

Erica Girgenti will run for the Housing Authority unopposed and Jacob Levesque will run for the redevelopment authority unopposed.

All other positions will be filled by incumbents running unopposed.  

Candidates have until April 4 to withdraw and the election is May 7.

North County Marks Memorial Day With Mount Greylock Trek, Ceremonies

By Jack Guerino, Tammy Daniels & Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
01:07PM / Sunday, May 24, 2026

Laurie Boudreau sings the national anthem during Memorial Day ceremonies at Clarksburg Town Hall on Sunday. 

ADAMS, Mass. — As they do every Sunday before Memorial Day, local veterans braved the elements to pay respects on Mount Greylock to fallen comrades.

 

"Past commanders have been coming up here for 93 years. I have been coming up for 64," said Adams American Legion member Donald Sommer. "We have had all kinds of weather, but this is some of the worst. It shows the dedication that we have for those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice."

 

Heavy winds and sleet met the motorcade at the summit. The Veterans War Memorial Tower — first built to honor World War I veterans — was barely visible and the 30 or so veterans and their families made their way to the memorial arm and arm, fighting the wind. 

 

The ceremony was held inside of the monument with only a rifle squad and taps player briefly stepping outside to conduct their part of the truncated ceremony. 

 

"It is important that we continue these ceremonies, not only for us, but for everyone else," Sommer continued. "So they remember what happened."

 

Veterans met early at the Adams American Legion Post 160 and promptly formed a motorcade to scale the mountain. The oppressive weather forced the Legion Riders off their motorcycles.

 

The group met at the Jones Nose Parking lot about halfway up the mountain to enjoy a traditional cocktail and toast fellow veterans.