Adams Approves Borrowing for Wastewater Treatment Plant

ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen has approved loan notes and other conditions for $5.49 million of the $7.4 million needed for the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project. 

The board's vote authorizes Treasurer/Collector Kelly Rice to work with bond counsel to issue loan documents. The loan is from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. 

"Although it's strange for us, this is routine for a Clean Water Trust grant loan borrowing community," said Town Administrator Jay Green at the board's meeting on Wednesday. 

The town can borrow the remaining funds after town meeting's approval on Nov. 15. Town meeting gave the OK to the $5.49 million for the plant in 2021.

"These are temporary loans for the full amount, because way that the Clean Water Trust issues is we get the full amount on a loan, and then that allows us to pay the full amount to the contractor because the project has been $7.4 million," Green said. "When the project is done and Clean Water Trust decides that they want to ask us to start paying our debt service, they will reissue the borrowing." 

The plant was built in 1968 and had only a partial upgrade in 2006. Construction is already ongoing, as the project went out to bid earlier in the year.

In other business:

• The board approved the winter overnight on-street parking ban, from Dec. 1 to March 31. The board also approved the suspension of parking meters from Wednesday, Nov. 23 to Jan 4. 

"It's that time of year again where we have to be prepared for our winter weather," Green said. 

Green reiterated that parking permits are available for $75 at Town Hall for those looking for alternative parking options. Board Vice Chair Christine Hoyt suggested the Animal and Parking Control Officer Kimberly Witek and the Police Department research alternatives and other options for parking meters. 

• The board approved a license agreement with National Grid for an electric transformer for the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center. 

"It consists of wires that will come down from the key utility pole, underground in a conduit to the transformer through an underground channel and into the transformer," Green said. "It's a standard license agreement for National Grid be on the property to install it, maintain it check on it, etc." 

• The board approved the appointment of Sonia McWhirt to the Agricultural Commission. Selectman Joseph Nowak said the commission needs one more member, five in total, to become a functional board again.

"I remember I served with Sonia when we had the first agricultural commission, and then it went defunct, and we're trying to get it back up and running," he said. "... I don't think we could find a better appointee for the commission." 

• The board approved a signage permit for the St. Stanislaus School's annual Christmas Bazaar, which will be on Nov. 19. The signs will be at Hoosac Street, Center Street, Memorial Park and Town Hall. 

• Adams Holly Days will be in the town common from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27.

Community Hero of the Month: Christine Hoyt

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:25PM / Saturday, May 04, 2024

Selectwoman Christine Hoyt, in green, came up with the idea of celebrating local business by having a ribbon cuttings with board members present. 

ADAMS, Mass. — Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month.

 

The Community Hero of the Month series, in partnership with Haddad Auto, recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community. Nominate a community hero here. 

 

Hoyt has been a valuable member of the Berkshire County community since moving to Adams in 2005 from central New York state. 

 

With no friends or family in the area, she became involved with her new community by working with numerous organizations and serving on multiple committees. 

 

She participated in the Berkshire Leadership Program through the then-Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. This started her on the path to working with nonprofit boards, so she started serving with Youth Center Inc. and then ran for election as a town meeting member. She has been on the Board of Selectmen since 2017 and is currently serving her second term as chair. 

 

"[Berkshire County is] a welcoming community. So, when I moved here, I didn't have any friends or family, and I still felt like I was able to connect with people. I was able to get involved in a number of different initiatives," Hoyt said.

 

"So, I've always felt like this community just opens their arms and welcomes everybody into it. I try to do my part to extend those arms and welcome people into the conversation and into various groups and committees."