ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen on Wednesday ratified the hiring of two reserve police officers to add to the growing department.
Police Chief Richard Tarsa told the board that he was happy to bring on reserve Officers Danielle Cartier and Nicholas Sorrell.
"As chief, this is one of the best parts of the job: When I can welcome new employees," Tarsa said. "It is always good to find people with enthusiasm who want to come forward and join the ranks."
The town has had a hard time in recent years attracting and retaining officers because of limitations set by Civil Service. In 2017, the town dissolved its agreement with Civil Service and since then has regularly brought on new officers and reserve officers.
Tarsa said both Cartier and Sorrell are graduates of the reserve/intermittent academy and come from solid backgrounds that will aid them in law enforcement.
"We found in their interviews that their answers were very, very good. Both presented an eagerness and enthusiasm," Tarsa said. "They are both community-policing orientated and want to be active in the community."
Before the unanimous vote, Chairman John Duval welcomed the two to the community.
"You both have chosen Adams and that impresses me and makes me feel good about this community that we have individuals like yourselves," Duval said. "We are very fortunate to have both of you."
Tarsa said because the town clerk was not present they would have to swear in the officers later this week.
"The sooner we can get them on board the sooner we can get them into a position," he said.
In other business, the Selectmen ratified the hiring of Tim Cota as the operations supervisor within the Department of Public Works.
"He has worked very hard over the past year and he has really focused on creating a team with the DPW employees," interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said. "He has been involved in every aspect of the job ... I have been impressed."
In the absence of a DPW director, Cota has been the defacto director while the town continues its search.
Duval said he was impressed with how Cota handled the fall flooding.
"Tim has stepped up and has taken on a lot of those responsibilities," he said. "I am very proud of him with how he has stepped up to this leadership role."
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Hoosac Valley Train Car Catches Fire
Staff ReportsiBerkshires
ADAMS, Mass. — A malfunctioning heating pad is the suspected cause for a fire at one of the Hoosac Valley Service's train cars.
The fire broke out about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and posts to Facebook show heavy flames and smokes on the side of the historic Budd Car 41.
"We got dispatched to a train on fire, and when we got here, that's exactly what it was. It was a train on fire," said Fire Chief David Lennon. "We did have flames showing. We did have information from dispatch that there were no people on board. It was locked."
The incident is still under investigation but he said the best guess was the heating pad to keep the lines warm malfunctioned and the drip pads underneath ignited.
Melanie Seiden, executive director of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, said the weekend rides had been completed for the day and only some staff were still at the Adams Station.
The rides are approximately an hour and the last one is usually completed around 4 p.m. The last two weekends have been fall foliage rides and a Halloween one is scheduled for next weekend.
Seiden said car will be taken out of service and that scheduled rides will go on.
The fire broke out about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and posts to Facebook show heavy flames and smokes on the side of the historic Budd Car 41.
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The single-span bridge, originally constructed in 1957, has developed several structural deficiencies in recent years, including deteriorating steel beams with section loss and rusting. click for more
Gabe Thomas carded an even par round of 71 at Stockbridge Golf Club Monday to finish two shots clear of the field and claim the first county individual championship for the McCann Tech golf team. click for more
The event showcases the strong sense of community that defines Adams while offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy the fall foliage, which is typically near its peak this time of year. click for more