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Adams Selectmen to Look Into Russell Field Project

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen are going to review the status of the Russell Field renovation project.
 
During a short Selectmen's meeting on Wednesday, Selectman Joseph Nowak relayed some information from the Parks Commission and said the commissioners are not happy with the condition of the field.
 
"One of their big ongoing concerns is Russell Field with the poor condition of the infield and the backstop which has a hole in it," he said. "They are very concerned about the time it is taking for the grant."
 
The Parks Commission agreed to make the Russell Field project a priority in 2014 and the town allocated funds to begin the design process. Currently, the project is still in the design phase.
 
Even though the town will eventually seek grant funds to renovate the field, Nowak said the commission would like some immediate action on the infield.
 
"They want some action to be taken now so they can correct the deficiencies on the field," Nowak said.  
 
Selectman John Duval asked that the project be put on a future agenda.
 
"We need to figure out the status of the grant," he said. "I would like to get back into that."
 
Nowak had other concerns and asked that the town seal up some of the cracks forming on Park Street.
 
"Park Street is starting to break up and we need to do something before we have a much bigger problem," he said. "I think we should look into using some kind of sealant, so we can seal the cracks before winter time."
 
Nowak's last concern was the East Road solar field and asked who is actually responsible for maintaining it. 
 
"It is overgrown there are a lot of weeds encroaching over the panels and I don't know if we are or someone else is supposed to be taking care if it," he said. "I would like to get an answer because it looks unsightly and the grass is impeding the panels."
 
Duval said he, too, did not have a clear answer but did note it was cut earlier this year. He said he will ask interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan, who was currently away.
 
The Selectmen ratified the appointment of James Hall as the Director of Public Works maintenance technician and operator 1.
 
"Mr. Hall comes to the town with considerable landscaping and landscaping design experience," Duval read from a letter from Cesan. 
 
The Selectmen also ratified the appointment of Christa Sidway as the adult services librarian at the Adams Free Library. 
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Adams Sees No Races So Far

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — With less than a week left before nomination papers are due, there are currently no contested seats.
 
Only selectman incumbent John Duval has returned papers. Selectman Howard Rosenberg has decided not to seek re-election. 
 
Rosenberg, who was elected in 2021, said he has chosen not to run again to make room for younger candidates.
 
"I feel strongly, we need younger people running for public office,  as the future of our town lies within the younger  generation. The world is so fundamentally different today and rapidly changing to become even more so. I believe we need people who are less interested in trying to bring back the past, then in paving the way for a promising future. The younger generation can know that they can stay here and have a voice without having to leave for opportunities elsewhere," he said.
 
The only person to return papers so far is former member the board Donald Sommer. Sommer served as a selectman from 2007 to 2010 and before that was a member of the School Committee and the Redevelopment Authority. He ran unsuccessfully for selectman in 2019 and again in 2021 but dropped out of before the election.
 
Incumbent Moderator Myra Wilk and Town Clerk Haley Meczywor have returned papers for their respective positions.
 
Assessor Paula Wheeler has returned papers and incumbents James Loughman and Eugene Michalenko have returned papers for library trustees.
 
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