Adams Emergency Road Repairs Almost Complete
ADAMS, Mass. — The most significant road damage made by the severe rainstorms in September have been repaired.
Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan told the Selectmen on Wednesday that she expected J.H. Maxymillian Inc. to have completed work on the washouts on Glen Street and East Road by week's end.
"I am happy to say that Maxymillian have been working very diligently," she said. "We were fortunate to have them working in town so they could mobilize immediately and address this."
Two storms within a week of each other overwhelmed the town's flood control system causing damage on the Lime, Davis, North Summer, and Charles street areas. The town declared a state of emergency and received town meeting approval to borrow up to $2.5 million to make these repairs with the hopes of receiving federal or state reimbursement.
Two critical projects the town immediately addressed were the Glen Street sinkhole and damage to East Road because it hindered emergency vehicle access.
Cesan said new drainage pipes have been placed in Glen Street as well as new curbing where it had been destroyed.
The culvert on East Road has been restored and drainage has been improved. She said they are currently installing the guard rails.
Cesan added that the Adams Visitors Center parking lot improvement project is also largely complete. That was being funded through Community Development Block Grant monies.
"It was successful, and the contractor is finishing up ... but the project is essentially complete," she said. "I was pleased with the quality of the work, and I think there were some nice improvements."
She said the project won't be closed until the spring to allow for landscaping and the installation of parking meters.
"Quite frankly if they seed it now it is just not going to take so they will come back in the spring," she said. "If there are any issues such as sidewalk cracking they are still under contract."
Cesan said the Town Hall roof repair project will be delayed until the spring so contractors don't have to work in difficult conditions through the winter and to keep the building scaffolding-free through the holidays.
"Because of all of the unique angles on the roof they will need scaffolding around the building during the holidays and that didn't seem particularly great," she said. "We decided to get all of our ducks in a row and be ready to go forward when the winter breaks. It certainly made the contractor happy."
She said any leaks in the roof are manageable and will not cause further damage.
Before closing her report, Cesan said the town received a $28,500 grant to develop a new stormwater bylaw. She said this is needed to be in compliance with the MS4 Stormwater Management Program.
During subcommittee reports, Selectwoman Christine Hoyt said representatives from Community Paradigm Associates visited Town Hall to go over the town administrator search process. She said they met with the selectmen individually and some of the department heads.
"I know they are still working on meeting the department heads and they will bring forward a town profile and an advertisement for our review as early as tomorrow," she said.
The town officials paused their search earlier this year when they failed to attract suitable candidates. They recently executed a contract with Community Paradigm Associates, not to exceed $10,000, to aid in the next search round.
Hoyt said they hope to have a new administrator by early February.
Before closing the meeting, acting Chairman Joseph Nowak announced that the town is looking for an 8-foot Christmas tree donation for Summer Street. Anyone with a tree to donate can contact the DPW at 413-743-8300, Ext. 122.
He added that the DPW will be conducting leaf pickups Nov. 12 through the 19. He said leaves should be raked to the curb and the DPW will only do one pass through.
Tags: flooding, infrastructure improvements, road damage, storm damage,
