ADAMS, Mass. — An 8-year-old local boy will get to be an "officer for a day" this month in recognition of his life-saving 911 call last November.
Cody Stojda had found his mother on the floor of their home unable to breathe and immediately called the emergency number to get her help.
"Last year, the Adams Police Department received 1,461 911 calls, but what made this call stand out ... was the calmness and the demeanor of the caller and how he presented himself so clearly and so accurately," Police Chief Richard Tarsa told the Selectmen on Wednesday night.
Tarsa presented Cody with a plaque during the televised meeting to recognize his "smooth" 911 call.
Officer Gregory Charon and Sgt. Matthew Wright responded to Cody's call on Nov. 18 around 8 p.m. Cody had reported that his mother, who has a medical condition, was on the floor of the kitchen and not breathing.
"It was his quick thinking upon finding her to call 911," Tarsa said. "To get that calmness and that rational is phenomenal ... you often don't get that calmness form an adult."
Tarsa said the officers were able to reposition Cody's mother and re-establish her airway. If Cody had not called when he did, his mother would have died.
He said Cody's actions also shows the importance of police outreach in the schools.
"When we go into the schools and we talk about calling 911, we preach to the students and we tell them the importance of it," the chief said. "We tell them everything that involves a call and here is a perfect example of how that works and pays off."
Tarsa said sometime during February break, Cody will spend the day with Wright as an honorary police officer.
Selectman John Duval congratulated Cody and thanked the Adams Police Department.
"Congratulations to Cody and I am sure he is going to serve our community well," Duval said. "Being a police officer in today's world is a very difficult job, and for many of us we should be thankful we have not needed their support ... but when we need them, they are there."
In other business, Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said anticipated the board changing Town Hall's hours of operation from five days a week to four, with Friday hours being eliminated.
He said changing the hours to 8:30 to 5 Monday through Wednesday and 8:30 to 6 on Thursday would save the town a few thousand dollars. He said Friday is generally Town Hall's slowest day.
He said if voted on soon, the hours could change by March 15. After a six-month trial period the Selectmen will evaluate the change and see if the town should continue the practice.
Mazzucco added that when taxes are due on a Friday, accommodations will be made.
Duval reported the state Department of Transportation has awarded the rail trail extension project to JH Maxymillian and that construction will start in four to six weeks. The $3.7 million project will extend the trail from Hoosac Street to Lime Street, a 1.2 mile section.
He added that he will attend a meeting with MassDOT about funding the completion of the Adams line of the Berkshire Scenic Railway.
