image description
Selectmen got an update on the work at the Town Common. Town Administrator Jay Green says he hopes to have some type of dedication event when it is completed.
image description

Adams Continues Storm Clean Up

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
ADAMS, Mass. — Town Administrator Jay Green told the Selectmen on Wednesday night that the Department of Public Works had opened all roadways and will continue storm clean up through the coming days.
 
"We were hit with a sudden storm this evening," he said. "... As of tonight, most of the roadways have been reopened, and the DPW will continue the clean up of town spaces."
 
The storm cut through the Berkshires on Wednesday afternoon leaving downed trees and wires. Many were left without power.
 
Green said this was the case in Adams, and that the damage was focused on the east side of town. Residents were told to avoid North Summer Street and Crotteau Street.
 
He thanked town employees, the Forest Wardens, and neighbors for stepping up and helping after the unexpected storm.
 
"I just want to thank them. They just descended from everywhere; They were right on the spot," he said. "There were neighbors that started clearing out trees and were helping before the DPW even mobilized."
 
Also in his report, Green said the Susan B. Anthony statue was installed on the Town Common last week and that work continues on the renovation of the park.
 
"I am pleased to announce that Susan B. Anthony has come home to Adams," he said.
 
The Adams Suffrage Centennial Celebration Committee had been working for more than two years to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote along with Anthony's bicentennial. The celebration, that was going to culminate in August, has been delayed a year because of the pandemic, but the installation of Anthony's statue has gone as planned.
 
Green said once the project is closer to completion, he would like to hold a dedication ceremony before it gets too cold.
 
He also gave a COVID-19 report and said cases remain low in Adams. In the past 30 days, there have only been five or so new cases.
 
"We are still in the gray which is good, and it means COVID-19 is not prevalent in our community, but that can always turn," Green said. "... We are in good shape lets stay that way."
 
In other business, the Selectmen signed off on a list of approvals including a common victualer license for Peter Oleskiewicz, who plans to reopen the Miss Adams Diner.
 
"We want to thank Pete for coming to Adams. He has been a pleasure to work, and we look forward to him bringing the iconic diner back to life," Green said. 
 
The diner has had multiple owners but has sat vacant in recent years.
 
Oleskiewicz, a North Adams city councilor who also owns Desperados Mexican Restaurant in the city, said he is still working in the former railroad car and putting together a menu that will consist of diner essentials.
 
"It is a lot of work, and by the end of the month, we hope to be in full action. ... Every day we do a little more," he said. "We are getting there. We have a menu put together, and hopefully, we can open doors real soon and be part of this community."
 
Oleskiewicz said he would like to have outdoor seating much like his North Adams restaurant.
 
Green said the town hopes to help with this and that through a $25,000 Shared Streets grant has purchased metal outdoor tables. Some will be placed near the Miss Adams Diner. He said the town will likely not receive these tables before the close of the outdoor eating season.
 
Selectman Joseph Nowak said he did not like the stonework placed around the building in the recent past. Oleskiewicz agreed and said in the future he would like to remove it.
 
The Selectmen approved an all-alcohol club change of manager application for the Mountain Club from Richard Ziarnik to Lea Cudworth.
 
Former manager Ziarnik passed away and Cudworth volunteered to take his place.
 
"About 15 years ago, I was the first woman to ever hold office in the club," she said. "If that doesn't tell you something I am not sure what does."
 
The Selectmen approved the placement of temporary "Vote for Susan" signs on various town properties.
 
The Selectmen also approved the Nov. 3, 2020, election warrant and elected Richard Blanchard as the vice chairman. Vice Chairman James Bush passed away last month.

Tags: bad weather,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories