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The Department of Public Works tested out the proposed 'bump-outs' with plows Tuesday afternoon as the advisory committee continues to tweak the streetscape plan.

Adams Continues To Tweak Park Street Plans

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The plow was hitting cones delineating the proposed bump-outs when it tried to cut back into the right lane during a test the Department of Public Works performed Tuesday.
ADAMS, Mass. — Raised crosswalks may be scrapped from the Park Street renovation plans.

The Department of Community Development is expected to make a presentation Wednesday night about the progress the town has made on the streetscape project. Town officials said the raised crosswalks that sparked residents' concern may be removed from the plan.

Advisory officials met Tuesday afternoon to discuss tweaking some of the design, including keeping the curb line on the east side of the street the same — instead of widening the sidewalk by two feet — the parking plan in front of Town Hall and moving the mail box and fire hydrant near Armory Court to the proposed bump-outs in an attempt to save parking spaces.

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Public works laid out road cones in the shape of proposed bump-outs to test how they would affect plowing. Director of Public Works Thomas Satko said the current dimensions of the bump-outs makes it difficult for the plow to cut back after the curb extension. The plow will also face difficulty with oncoming traffic because in order to turn back into the lane, the plow would have to cut into the oncoming traffic lane.

The advisory committee will be working out ways to allieviate that concern, which could include building a longer transition.

According to Town Administrator Jonathan Butler, the design is expected to be completed in time to apply for the federal Community Development Block Grant program. The Selectmen will vote on applying for the grant on Nov. 30.
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Cheshire Town Meeting Oks Budgets, Debates Potential Prop 2 1/2 Override

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Moderator Carol Francesconi, left, and Anne Marie Furey were presented flowers in memory of the Rev. William Furey, their brother and husband, respectively. The town report was dedicated to him. 
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Town meeting on Monday approved all 35 articles on the annual meeting warrant, including a total spending for fiscal 2027 of more than $8.5 million. 
 
Some 77 of the town's more than 2,500 registered voters filled the Cheshire Community House meeting room, debating on a number of articles during the meeting that lasted nearly three hours
 
The town dedicated its annual report to the Rev. William David Furey, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church and more recently Berkshire Union Chapel in Lanesborough. Furey died last year at age 77.
 
His wife, Anne Marie Furey, and his sister, Town Moderator Carol Francesconi, were presented with a bouquet of flowers in tribute to him. 
 
He was an exemplary member of the community who left a lasting impression in each and every life that he touched, said Town Clerk Whitney Flynn. 
 
Voters approved several warrant articles that make up an operating budget of $3,840,314 for fiscal 2027. Of this amount, $1,642,481 is allocated for the general government budget, which was approved after clarification of a few questions.
 
One item was the administrative assistant's salary. Prior to the annual meeting, the town eliminated the executive assistant salary of $54,309 in favor of a part-time administrative assistant salary of $27,155, to reduce costs considering the financial constraint the town is in. 
 
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