ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health was forced to continue its tobacco cap public hearing because of complications with the Zoom platform.
The board adjourned Wednesday after it was discovered that although participants were able to log into the Zoom program, they were unable to call in.
"I will apologize to all of those who joined us and although they can't hear me, to those who called in," Chairman David Rhoads said. "... Proceeding would not be fair."
Late last year, the board agreed to implement a new regulation that would limit the amount of tobacco sales permits allowed in town. The new regulation would not affect those already selling tobacco products.
This hearing would have marked the end of a long process that began long before COVID-19 that has been a regular fixture on the agenda.
The meeting was well attended by those utilizing the Zoom video function however it was discovered that the meeting password that would allow folks to call in via telephone did not work.
The board asked Town Counsel Edmund St. John III if they should proceed and St. John advised against it.
"If the password is incorrect and you are somehow denying access I don’t think you have a valid meeting going on in terms of complying with the Open Meeting Law requirements," he said. "Keeping in mind the exceptions the governor has allowed through his executive order."
He said there's a possible Open Meeting Law violation already on the horizon and he did not want to risk it.
The hearing was continued to Aug. 19. Although there was a preference to hold it earlier, it was noted more time was needed to properly post the meeting.
The agenda was longer than recent ones and included school reopening plans as well as reports on business, restaurant, and public spaces reopenings.
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Adams Picks Select Board Candidates; Cheshire Nixes Appointed Assessor
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Voters chose incumbent John Duval and newcomer Ann Bartlett for the two open seats on the Selectmen.
Bartlett, a co-owner of the former Red Carpet Diner, garnered the most votes at 791, more than 300 above the other three challengers, and Duval was returned for another three-year term with 685.
Incumbent Howard Rosenberg's decision sparked a five-way race for the two seats. Coming in third was Jerome Socolof with 465, Mitchell Wisniowski with 446 and former board member Donald Sommer with 367.
All results are unofficial.
Wisniowski did win a seat on the Parks Commission and Michael Mach outpolled challenger Timothy Kitchell Jr. 887-407 to stay on the Planning Board.
Frederick Lora appears to have bested Jennifer Solak as Adams representative to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District by 10 votes. The unofficial tally is 814-804, with Lora gaining 674 votes to Solak's 620 in Adams; the voted flipped in Cheshire with Solak winning 184-140 but not enough to overcome the gap. Robert Tetlow Jr., running unopposed, was returned as the Cheshire representative.
Write-ins for Board of Health and Redevelopment Authority, which had no candidates, were still being tallied.
That wasn't all, of course, as she was applauded for her 30 years overseeing the town's elections and vital records. There were plenty of hugs and some tears for a closing out of her long career.
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Listening to Little list off all the specialized components he sells and installs, from public safety lighting to municipal warning lights and radio communication, his technical knowledge and experience shines through.
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Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month. click for more
Specialty Minerals is expected to pay $299,000 for a discharge of calcium carbonate into the Hoosic River nearly three years ago in a consent decree with the Attorney General's Office. click for more
The Adams Beautification group, which has been quietly sprucing up the town since 2022, hopes to bring in more members of the community during a community cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, April 27. click for more
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School history teacher Alla Chelukhova has been selected as the April Teacher of the Month. click for more