ADAMS, Mass. — iBerkshires will host a forum for the Board of Selectmen candidates on Tuesday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Adams Visitors Center.
All five candidates — Ann M. Bartlett, John Duval, Jerome Simon Socolof, Donald R. Sommer and Mitchell Wisniowski — have indicated they plan to attend. There are two seats open on the Board of Selectmen in the May 6 town election.
The forum will be moderated by iBerkshires Editor Tammy Daniels and recorded for later broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television.
The candidates will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves at the beginning of the forum and time to address the audience at its conclusion. Daniels will ask the questions but residents my submit questions or topics of interest they would like addressed to info@iberkshires.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Cheshire Speed Limits Reduced, Code of Conduct Mulled
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Some streets will soon be slower for cars with the Department of Public Works replacing the speed limit signs in response to community concerns.
The town adopted Chapter 90, Section 17C to reduce some local road speed limits to 25 mph. Twenty-three streets are approved by the state; signs are ordered from the state Department of Transportation and should arrive within a couple weeks.
DPW Director Corey McGrath told the Selectmen at last Tuesday's meeting that the department had received concerns from residents wanting people to be slower on the following streets:
Church Street
East Main Street
portions of Wells Road
Main Street
Furnace Hill Road
Flaherty Road
Pit Road
Prospect Street
Dean Street
Richmond Street
School Street
Railroad Street
Depot Street
Richardson Street
5th Avenue
Meadowview Drive
Wood Lane
Dean Street Extension
portions of Ingalls Road
Devonshire Drive
Yorkshire Drive
Berkshire Drive
Wilshire Drive
Chair Michelle Francesconi asked McGrath to look into the signs solar-powered "slow down" signs. She also spoke about increasing problems with electric bicycles and similar devices.
Young people are going 30 to 40 mph, often on sidewalks, weaving between cars, cutting through private property and town property and riding in the road, she said, and brought up how other towns are creating bylaws to address these problems. Francesconi thought the board should look into it as well as a matter of public safety.
The state is currently revising related laws, so the board will see what the Legislature passes and then model bylaws on other communities.
Francesconi also said that since there is limited police coverage at night during most of the behavior, she suggested shifting some patrol hours to evenings to address youth riding behavior.
Later in the meeting, Francesconi also brought up code of conduct for town employees as she has been receiving numerous reports regarding professionalism, boundaries, confidentiality, and internal relationships and communication among town hall staff, department heads, and with the public.
She said town counsel has recommended adopting a code of conduct as well as providing training. After some discussion, the board decided to get a catalog of training options and identify mandatory and optional trainings. Members are also thinking of doing them in-person.
In other news, the Fire Department's rescue boat missing from the water because motor is broken and is in the process of being replaced.
There are two applicants in the running for the police chief position who will be doing the assessment center on Aug. 17. The Selectmen will get their resumes afterward and decide on interviews.
Wilk-Chaffee joined two of her fellow Beautification Group members in an appearance before the Selectmen to update the elected officials on the non-profit's activities around town and explain its role in town.
click for more
The overhaul of 21 Park St, is complete, with all 10 two-bedroom apartments nearly rented. There are also three units on the second floor available for rent that will be move-in ready in September. click for more
On Wednesday, the select board approved a framework for a candidate screening committee and heard a potential timeline for making a decision to appoint the next leader of the 18-officer department. click for more
As America celebrated its 250th anniversary, Adams looked toward the future by creating a time capsule to preserve pieces of the community for future generations.
click for more
The fundraiser will be held at Turn Hall, 6 Turners Ave., beginning at 5 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner, followed by Santos' performance at 7:30 p.m. click for more
Town officials are seeking community input on the issues residents believe are facing the community and the leadership qualities they would like to see in the Police Department's next leader click for more