Adams Free Library Rededicated

A cake featuring the building's front facade is cut after Saturday's ceremony.

ADAMS, Mass. — Library trustees, staff, friends and patrons celebrated the completion of renovations to the 116-year-old Free Library with a rededication ceremony on Saturday.

Library Director Deborah Bruneau thanked all those involved in the eight years of exterior and interior renovation.

"Everyone is proud of this build and they always compliment all the hard work that has gone on in here," Bruneau said. "I have to say this is quite the architectural jewel and we are very pleased that it was able to happen today."

Along with the various other speakers, Bruneau unveiled a plague dedicated to Ron Bishop, a former trustee and library patron who helped make the library what it is today. Bishop passed away in 2006.

"Ron had ideas, Ron had dreams, and Ron had visions of how spectacular the very special Adams Memorial Library could look when it was finished," she said. "Although he drove me crazy at times with his demands and deadlines, he was always focused on preserving and enhancing what was a very extraordinary gem in Adams."

Bruneau thanked Bishop and his family for the close friendship they had through his 11 years of devotion to the library

"The library is a much better place because of his hard work," she said. "Ron has left a long to-do list of projects that will keep me busy until I retire, but today we cross off a major one, and we thank Ron for all of his efforts and devotion to this building."

Massachusetts Board of Libraries Commissioner Mary Kronholm spoke about the historical significance and beauty of both Adams and the library.

She said as far back as 1914 the library maintained a collection of books published in Polish and German for the many nonnative English speakers in the town; she said only 12 percent of the population at the time was native born. She added this extensive collection was shared throughout Berkshire County and was an incredible asset to the region.  

She said the library is a focal point in the community and shows promise for a bright future after the renovations.

"Your library is the strength of your community, it a cornerstone of American democracy, it has something for everyone no mater age, sex, religion, and race, and it’s here and it ... serves you all from cradle to grave," Kronholm said. "It is now complete, and your library not only has a rich history but an even richer future."

Selectmen Chairman Richard Blanchard thanked all those dedicated to the project such as former Town Administrator Jonathan Butler, Community Development Director Donna Cesan, and others integral to the project.

"This rededication would not be possible without dedication. The dedication of the staff here at the library, the dedication of the trustees, and the dedication of the friends of the library," Blanchard said. "Before one shovel hit the ground there was a lot of work that went into this project, I'd say years to bring all this together."

Representatives from the general contractor and the designer of the building also spoke and explained the importance of reusing as much of the building as possible and keeping it historically accurate. The building is now watertight with historically accurate mortar work and the entrance itself was rebuilt for handicapped accessibility with original material.

The ceremony concluded with a statement from the library staff, friends, and trustees.

"We the trustees staff and friends of the Adams Free Library do hereby renew our commitment to provide the very best possible public library services to all citizens of the town of Adams and surrounding communities, and do hereby rededicate the building ... built to house the public library and continue to serve as a memorial to all military veterans."

Cheshire Town Meeting Oks Budgets, Debates Potential Prop 2 1/2 Override

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:12PM / Monday, June 08, 2026

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.