Moderator Myra Wilk leads Monday's annual town meeting. Illustrations of the proposed Greylock Glen are set up along the stage. Town meeting voted to approve the creation of a commission to oversee development and for the town to be the master tenant and developer.
Adams Town Meeting Approve All Articles on 2019 Warrant
Longtime town meeting members were recognized for their service, including Starr Baker who has been a member for 50 years.
ADAMS, Mass. — Town meeting approved all 30 articles on the annual warrant, including the fiscal 2020 budget of $15.8 million.
It was a pretty straightforward meeting Monday night with much of the articles passing in bulk. Before running through the warrant, Town Clerk Haley Meczywor thanked town meeting members present and past.
"This town report is dedicated to all of you sitting in the center of the auditorium," she said. "Your service to the town is remarkable and without your commitment and dedication the town of Adams cannot function .. .you are the voice of Adams."
Adams has a representative form of government in which 150 town meeting members are elected by precinct to weigh the community's decisions.
Meczywor said the town report is dedicated to all town meeting members and recognized those who have served continuously for more than 20, 30, and 40 years.
Town meeting member Starr Baker was asked to stand and Meczywor said he has continuously served for 50 years.
The rest of the meeting went by quickly and clocked in well under an hour.
There was only discussion on some of the early articles that represented the $15.8 million budget but ultimately Articles 7 through 15 achieved safe passage.
Article 6, which fixes the salary and compensation of all elective officers, was amended to reflect some salary increases not correctly written on the warrant. Article 28 was also amended to clarify some language having to do with rededicating the Town Common.
Article 10, the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District budget, was held by town meeting member John Cowie, who had questions about the assessment of $5,792,649.
Many of his questions centered around education, however, because the superintendent was not present at the meeting, they went unanswered.
The school district's Business Manager Erika Snyder did attend the meeting and was able to clarify some of the assessment mechanics.
Some of the larger articles such as Article 22, which amends the ACRSD agreement and changes its name to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District, passed with ease. Article 24, The special tax agreement with B&B Micro Manufacturing, also passed without pause.
One hundred and fifteen town meeting members attended the annual meeting, or 77 percent.
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Parish of St. John Paul II Hosts Fall Fest & Bazaar
ADAMS, Mass. — The Parish of St. John Paul II is hosting its annual Fall Fest & Bazaar on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 9 to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
The event will be spread out on two floors of Notre Dame School on Maple Street. In the lower ground floor, will be a seasonally decorated hall, with "shops" for fall, Christmas, handmade and country stores. It will also be the location for the chance auction with so many donated items. The kitchen menu will offer an array of American and Polish foods and French meat pies for eat-in or takeout. Nearby will be a baked goods table and raffles.
On the first-floor will be the book store and, in the gym, jewelry tables, silent auctions and gift certificate auctions. The Kids Fair will have numerous games with prizes and popcorn.
Doors open at 9 a.m.; hot food served starting at 10 a.m.
Hoosac Valley High School has postponed this weekend’s football games following a reported alleged hazing incident involving a large number of football players, the athletic director announced Friday afternoon. click for more
Dozens of fire trucks escorted by marching firefighters made their way around downtown Adams on Saturday to the sounds of drums, fifes and the skirl of the bagpipes. click for more
Adams Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo recently announced that the town missed out on a $4 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields and Land Revitalization grant. click for more
BRPC was awarded an additional $64,700 that will allow them to gather information about transportation needs in northern Berkshire County. click for more
Matthew Wright, formerly a sergeant in the Adams Police Department, officially took his post on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and said he is excited to hit the ground running. click for more