image description
The Board of Selectmen recognized Quinton Thomas for his community service with the Columbia World War I Memorial Park.
image description
image description
image description

Adams Thanks Boy Scout For Cleaning Park

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
 

Boy Scout Quinton Thomas spearheaded the cleanup and improvements at the Columbia Street veterans memorial as part of his Eagle Scout service.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen last week thanked Boy Scout Quinton Thomas for spearheading a clean up of the town's Columbia World War I Memorial Park.
 
Thomas was given a certificate of appreciation Wednesday at the board's regular meeting for his work on the Columbia Street park.
 
"I think that cleaning up monuments and just overall trying to improve everything we have in this great town makes it such a better place," Thomas said. "When people come by they see the train and all of the old mills ... I didn't want that park to be something they just pass by."
 
Thomas is working toward his Eagle Scout service award and said after spending some time trying to find a good project he settled on the park.
 
"I looked around town and was looking for something that needed some extra love," he said. "Last year I took a gander at it and I saw that it was in shambles. It kind of looked like it did go through a war."
 
The park across from the Memorial Building dates to around 1920 but was redone with new monuments in 2002. 
 
Thomas painted and stained the benches and trash barrels at the park. He also power washed the monuments and built raised flower beds in which he planted flowers.
 
Thomas also added mulch and cleaned the sidewalk.
 
He thanked fellow Scouts and his family for helping him. He also thanked the Department of Public Works employees who spent some time at the park.
 
"They were a huge help. They were there early in the morning getting stuff ready so we could have the volunteers come in late in the afternoon to do what was on the agenda," he said. "It has been really great."
 
The board thanked Thomas and Selectman James Bush said when he first saw what he was doing, he had to take a double take.
 
"I just want to say thank you. The first time I drove by I had to turn around and drive back again because I couldn't believe it," he said. "It looks really beautiful."
 
Town Administrator Jay Green, a veteran and former Boy Scout, told Thomas to keep up the good work.
 
"I know what it takes to get to this point in your Boy Scout career and as the town administrator I can't tell you what this means to us," he said. "To have someone like yourself who cares about the town and looks fondly on it. Always keep that wherever you go." 

Tags: Boy Scouts,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories