Dug-Out Motel in Adams Now Empty

ADAMS, Mass. — The Dug-Out Motel is empty.

Code Enforcement Officer Scott Koczela said all families living at the hotel have found alternative housing and the motel is now closed off and secure. The motel is under court-ordered receivership after the town placed a vacate order on it. The motel had been operating as more of a boarding home and had multiple health code violations.

"The Dug-Out is now officially empty," Koczela told the Board of Health on Wednesday. "It is unoccupied and secured."

The building is currently staying heated and watched over by Albany, N.Y., attorney Douglas Rose. Rose is expected to provide housing court with an update on the building next week. The tenants were assisted in finding other homes by the Tenancy Preservation and a group at the Council on Aging.

Meanwhile, owners Shoba Inc. and managers Guravtar Enterprises will need to sort out who will take the property over, how it will operate and who will pay Rose's expenses. The town has put a hold on the motel's operating license.

The board initially requested all residents to be out in early January but pushed that date back until March 1.

But, with the resignation of Chairman Richard Frost, the board now wants to hold off until a third member is appointed.

"I think for now, we won't do anything more until a third member is on the board," said Patricia Clairmont, who was chosen to take over the chairmanship. "The more heads you have, the better job you will do."

The board is asking the Selectmen to appoint Allen Mendel to replace Frost until the town election. Mendel had previously expressed interest in running for the seat and is a former Board of Health member.

The appointment will only be for a few months but the board wants to continue with the regulations while it is "still fresh."

"We are well on our way to getting this done," Clairmont said.

Friday Afternoon Fire Destroys Cheshire Barn

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
04:40PM / Friday, April 03, 2026

 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A fire on Friday afternoon destroyed a barn at 920 Sand Mill Road.

 

The building is a total loss but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching another nearby barn and the house at Stoney Brook Farm. 

 

Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi said the fire was called in 12:39 p.m. by the homeowners "but it already had a foothold before they noticed it."

 

Responding firefighters found the L-shaped structure fully involved. Adams, Lanesborough, Savoy and Windsor fire companies responded and Williamstown Fire covered the station.

 

The tankers were used to transport water from a nearby brook until a pool could be set up near the scene and water pumped into it. 

 

Northern Berkshire EMS responded and one firefighter was treated at the scene and then taken to Berkshire Medical Center. 

 

Francesconi said there were no other injuries but the owners told him there were 18 chickens in the barn. The structure also had equipment and other materials in it, including a Jeep.