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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

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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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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State Celebrates Agriculture Day with Farmland Preservation Funding, Youth Council Announcement

BOSTON.—Governor Maura Healey has declared March 18, 2025, as Massachusetts Agriculture Day. The event, held at the State House, highlighted the contributions of farmers, growers, and agricultural groups to the state's food supply and natural resource protection.
 
"We stand with our incredible farmers every day, and today we are proudly celebrating their hard work and resilience. Through every challenge they face, these farmers cultivate the crops that feed our families and strengthen our communities. Their dedication ensures that fresh, local food reaches every table," said Governor Maura Healey. "At a time of immense uncertainty at the federal level, Massachusetts is fully committed to delivering the support, programs and resources that empower our farmers to grow, expand and succeed."
 
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $5 million in funding to permanently protect nearly 400 acres of farmland across eight farms through the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program. Shaker Farm in Richmond completed an APR project in 2024.
 
An additional $500,000 will be allocated to assist existing APR farmers in restoring previously unsuitable land.
 
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle announced the new members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Youth Council. The council, now in its second year, comprises 15 high school students selected to discuss agricultural issues, learn about the legislative process and workforce development, and attend industry events. Olivia Silvernail from Hoosac Valley was selected to serve on the council.
 
Commissioner Randle also declared 2025 as the Year of Youth in Agriculture, aimed at increasing youth involvement in farming. The declaration will provide opportunities to highlight young adult voices in agriculture through events and partnerships with organizations such as 4-H and FFA.
 
"Youth engagement in agriculture has been one of our top priorities at MDAR so I’m delighted to welcome in a new class of leaders who will help shape the future of agriculture and especially want to thank our inaugural class for their contributions and involvement over the past year," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "While there are always challenges in farming and agriculture, I’m optimistic that our future looks bright with the amount of interest we’ve seen in our students who share the same values we all have in making sure we continue to grow and nurture a rich and diverse industry. Through our farmland protection programs, we’ll make sure that when the next generation of farmers take their place in shaping the agricultural landscape, they will have access to farmland here in Massachusetts so they can make their mark."
 
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