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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Business Success, Storm Clouds Highlighted at 1Berkshire Annual Meeting
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
Cheshire native JD Chesloff of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable delivers the keynote address on Thursday.
ADAMS, Mass. — One of the county's biggest employers and one of its newest small businesses were touted on Thursday at 1Berkshire's annual meeting at the Adams Theater.
The vice president of maritime and strategic systems strategy and business development at General Dynamics shared news of a major expansion at the Pittsfield plant.
"We plan to hire over 200 employees in Pittsfield over the next 12 to 14 months," Chris Montferret said. "Business is booming. And of those 200 employees, over 200 will be engineers."
Currently, General Dynamics employs more than 1,600 people in Pittsfield, up from a low of 500 in 1997, Montferret said, reminding the 1Berkshire membership of the importance of growth for an anchor like his firm.
"As you all know as employers, the multiplier of economic development when you bring a full-time employee in is amazing for the entire community," Montferret said.
1Berkshire is dedicated to advancing the local economy by advocating for and serving local businesses while helping attract visitors to the region.
The development organization's president and CEO used the annual meeting to talk about 1Berkshire's economic development team, which averages more than 100 consultations per year with local entrepreneurs — over 40 percent with businesses owned by women, members of minority groups or immigrants.
One of the county's biggest employers and one of its newest small businesses were touted on Thursday at 1Berkshire's annual meeting at the Adams Theater. click for more
The holiday season is here, and Whitney's Farm, located on Route 8 in Cheshire, has merchandise and food that can put you in the festive spirit. click for more
Hoosac Valley Regional School District officials have made a point of recognizing the achievements of their students at School Committee meetings — but on Monday, it was the instructors' turn. click for more
The Wildcats marched 84 yards in a drive that consumed 11 minutes, 17 seconds of the third quarter for a critical touchdown in a 48-36 win over Boston’s Cathedral High in the quarter-finals of the Division 8 Tournament. click for more