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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Adams Community, Co-Op Becoming 'Trailmark Bank'

ADAMS, Mass. — The combined Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank will be known as Trailmark Bank, according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday. 
 
The new logo is the imprint of a hiking boot designed to reflect the unique character of the Berkshires, where a network of trails run throughout the entire county, connecting towns from Adams to Pittsfield to Great Barrington and linking communities across mountains, valleys, and scenic ridgelines. 
 
"The trails that weave through the Berkshires create shared experiences and remind us that every journey begins with a single step," said Julie Fallon Hughes, CEO of the combined institution. "Trailmark Bank reflects both where we come from and where we're headed. We are proud to be a bank built by people who believe in staying the course, investing in our communities, and helping our customers make their mark for years to come."
 
These paths — including the Appalachian Trail and countless local routes — have long served as both physical and symbolic connections across the region. They represent movement, resilience, and the shared experience of navigating forward together.
 
With nearly 300 years of combined service, Trailmark Bank will build on the legacies of Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. The new name honors that shared history while signaling a forward-looking future — one rooted in local decision-making, strong relationships, and continued investment in the communities it serves.
 
"As someone who grew up in the Berkshires, this name resonates deeply," said Gregg Levante, president. "Trailmark Bank reflects the character of this region — hard-working, resilient, and grounded in the outdoors and community. These trails have connected our towns for generations, and in many ways, that's what we’re doing here — bringing people together and helping them navigate their financial journeys."
 
In a message to customers, Adams Community stated there will be no immediate changes to accounts, services, branch locations, online banking, or debit cards. The two banks will continue operating separately until the planned merger later this year. Bank officials say they will communicate any future changes well in advance.
 
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