Adams Picks Select Board Candidates; Cheshire Nixes Appointed Assessor

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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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. 
 
Town Clerk Haley Meczywor, running unopposed for another three-year term, earned the highest number of votes at 1,335, just seven more than Eugene Michalenko, who was running with James Loughman for re-election to the library trustees. Also returned to office were Moderator Myra Wilk, Assessor Paula Wheeler, Mary Ciuk and James J. Fassell for Parks Commission; and Bruce Dale Shepley for Cemetery Commission and McCan School Committee. 
 
Turnout was about 22 percent with 1,465 of the town's 6,574 registered voters going to the polls. 
 
In Cheshire, a ballot vote on making the town assessor an appointed rather than elected position was roundly defeated 152-219. The question would also have been on the town warrant.
 
Shawn McGrath and Raymond Killeen were re-elected to three-year terms on the Select Board with 257 and 234 votes, respectively; coming in third was Mark Biagini with 204. 
 
Assessor Kellie Lahey, Board of Health member Brian Trudeau, Cemetery Commissioner Timothy Garner, Water Commissioner Ricky Gurney and Planning Board member Peter Traub were re-elected unopposed. 
 
Whitney Flynn received 55 votes for town clerk on an empty ballot to replace Christine Emerson, who retired.

Tags: election 2024,   town elections,   


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Wheelchair Ramp Installed for Adams Veteran Through Donor and Grant Support

Staff Reports
ADAMS, Mass. — North County organizations came together recently to install a much-needed wheelchair ramp for Adams veteran Arthur Weeden.
 
"This project is a great example of what can happen when people come together to support a veteran in need," said Kurtis Durocher, District Director of Northern Berkshire Veteran Services, during a visit to Weeden's house on May 7. "Arthur and his wife were facing a very unsafe situation, and thanks to the generosity of multiple donors and grant support, we were able to provide a safe and lasting solution."
 
Weeden uses a wheelchair, and prior to the ramp installation, his wife had to unsafely maneuver him down three outside stairs whenever he needed to leave the house. Because of this difficult and hazardous situation, Weeden rarely had the opportunity to get outside, which also impacted his ability to attend medical appointments.
 
The total cost for the ramp and installation was approximately $6,200, all of which was funded through a collaborative effort of donations and grants.
 
Contributing donors included North Adams Elks 487, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 152, American Legion Post 160, American Legion Post 125, and the Dion Banks Foundation.
 
Durocher specifically thanked contractor Dan Smith, who bid the project well below the standard market rate.
 
"I am very grateful to Dan Smith, a good friend and an amazing contractor, for stepping up and helping make this happen," Durocher said. "Dan's willingness to bid this job well below market cost made a real difference."
 
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