Code Enforcement Officer Mark Blaisdell discusses the Phase 2 rules and regulations for the reopening of parks and recreational areas.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday took some more steps toward a return to a "new normal."
The past few weeks have seen on-site retail sales return and patio seating reopen, followed by a socially distanced form of inside dining for restaurants.
Wednesday night the board, with guidance from Code Enforcement Officer Mark Blaisdell, took the necessary steps to reopen parks and open spaces.
The Selectmen ordered all parks and open spaces closed on March 29 until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They rescinded that order on Wednesday night in accordance with Phase 2 of the state's reopening plan.
Parks will be able to reopen Thursday, June 25, at 8 a.m. For softball and baseball coaches and kids, this is a welcome respite from backyard Wiffle ball or hitting off a tee in the basement into a pile of laundry. The reopening does come with several caveats however.
Pursuant to the state's Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, there are several limitations in place. First and foremost is that games or scrimmages will not be allowed. It will be practice only and groups will be limited to 12 participants including coaches.
Contact sports of any kind are still not allowed and practices of these must be conditioning only and still adhere to the guidelines set forth by the state EEA. According to the EEA, contact sports include basketball, football, soccer, field hockey and others "where ordinary play puts players in direct contact or close proximity."
The president of Adams-Cheshire-Savoy Softball, Lou Moser, was attending the meeting remotely and afterward said the girls are excited for the change.
"ACS girls softball is eager and excited to see our players get back to a degree of normalcy where they can smile and laugh 'face to face' with their friends," he said. The league will also be requesting space at Cheshire Elementary's fields.
Any group looking to use Valley Street, Renfrew or Reid fields must fill out a facility use request and also have a health and safety plan in place. Paperwork can be found on the town website and the entire list of rules and regulations can be found on Mass.gov.
All kids, whether participating in an organized league or just playing on the jungle gyms must be supervised at all times. Selectman Joseph Nowak said he hopes parents stay vigilant so the parks can remain open.
"It's only going to be as successful as the adults that are going to be taking care of the kids. I worry about young kids being carriers, perhaps they'll go home [with no symptoms] and pass it on to their parents or grandparents," he said. "I'm glad the activity that is going to be taking place is run by adults so that all the rules are followed."
Russell Field was not mentioned during the reopening discussions as reconstruction will begin in earnest July 20. The roughly half-million dollar project will effectively close the field for the entirety of 2020. The Department of Public Works has been performing preliminary work clearing the way for Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare from Chicopee to begin the total rehabilitation.
Chairwoman Christine Hoyt announced that the town is looking to fill several empty seats on a couple of important boards. The recent resignation of Jake Levesque has left the Parks Commission with only three members out of its usual five. All three would need to be present for any vote to happen and given the expected uptick in applications because of the parks reopening, she thought it was crucial to fill the two empty seats.
The Zoning Board of Appeals is short one regular member as well as two alternates. Any appointment would be until next year's town election and anyone interested can contact Town Hall or visit the website.
The board entered executive session to discuss the potential contract of newly appointed interim Police Chief Troy Bacon. They were expected to approve the contract when they reconvened. Pending the contract being finalized and passing a physical, Bacon is expected to start before current Chief Richard Tarsa retires on July 13.
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Adams Picks Select Board Candidates; Cheshire Nixes Appointed Assessor
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Voters chose incumbent John Duval and newcomer Ann Bartlett for the two open seats on the Selectmen.
Bartlett, a co-owner of the former Red Carpet Diner, garnered the most votes at 791, more than 300 above the other three challengers, and Duval was returned for another three-year term with 685.
Incumbent Howard Rosenberg's decision sparked a five-way race for the two seats. Coming in third was Jerome Socolof with 465, Mitchell Wisniowski with 446 and former board member Donald Sommer with 367.
All results are unofficial.
Wisniowski did win a seat on the Parks Commission and Michael Mach outpolled challenger Timothy Kitchell Jr. 887-407 to stay on the Planning Board.
Frederick Lora appears to have bested Jennifer Solak as Adams representative to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District by 10 votes. The unofficial tally is 814-804, with Lora gaining 674 votes to Solak's 620 in Adams; the voted flipped in Cheshire with Solak winning 184-140 but not enough to overcome the gap. Robert Tetlow Jr., running unopposed, was returned as the Cheshire representative.
Write-ins for Board of Health and Redevelopment Authority, which had no candidates, were still being tallied.
That wasn't all, of course, as she was applauded for her 30 years overseeing the town's elections and vital records. There were plenty of hugs and some tears for a closing out of her long career.
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Listening to Little list off all the specialized components he sells and installs, from public safety lighting to municipal warning lights and radio communication, his technical knowledge and experience shines through.
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Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month. click for more
Specialty Minerals is expected to pay $299,000 for a discharge of calcium carbonate into the Hoosic River nearly three years ago in a consent decree with the Attorney General's Office. click for more
The Adams Beautification group, which has been quietly sprucing up the town since 2022, hopes to bring in more members of the community during a community cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, April 27. click for more
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School history teacher Alla Chelukhova has been selected as the April Teacher of the Month. click for more