ADAMS, Mass. — John Duval wants to finish what he started.
"There are still a lot of projects that I would like to see to completion while keeping the financial situation in town under control," the three-term selectman said. "There is still a lot to be done."
Duval has been on the board for nine years. Before that, he spent 17 years on the then Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee. He also has volunteered with local youth sports organizations and is an employee at General Dynamic.
He is one of three candidates vying for two three-year seats in the Board of Selectmen in the Monday, May 3, election; the other two are a former board member Donald Sommer and newcomer Howard Rosenberg.
Duval said he wants to see the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail extension projected completed as well as the revamping of Route 8. He said these are projects he has been working on for some time now.
Also high on his list is the redevelopment of the Memorial Building. Duval hopes that the long-closed former middle school in the downtown area can become an asset to the community and local sports leagues.
"The school is a main one for me," Duval said. "I want to be able to use the gym and have town meeting here. It has been a lot of years, I have always fought for it, and it is something that I want to see to completion."
Duval has been involved with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization and not only has a "seat at the table," but has a historical knowledge of many ongoing projects in town.
But he is worried about the shallow tax base and its relation to the tax rate and thinks the town needs to continue to attract new business and new families.
"We need the next generation to want to purchase homes here, live here, and raise their families here," Duval said. "I have two sons that bought houses in Adams ... that is all-new tax base that will help us in the overall scheme of things."
He also wants to combat the negativity in Adams and feels there are many things to be optimistic about. And he said the current composition of the Board of Selectmen has the energy and vision to move Adams forward.
"I have seen it all in regard to how government works," he said. "I believe our board is a positive, forward-thinking group, and I think this is a plus for the community."
Duval sees opportunities for Adams in the post-pandemic world and said his experience is important in a critical time for the town.
"I care. I am a lifelong resident of Adams, and I have given 26 years of my life to being a public official," he said. "I have been involved. My kids are here, my family is here, and I am not going anywhere."
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Adams Review Library, COA and Education Budgets
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed the public services, Hoosac Valley Regional School District and McCann Technical School budgets on Tuesday.
The workshop at the Adams Free Library was the third of four joint sessions to review the proposed $19 million fiscal 2025 budget. The first workshop covered general government, executive, finance and technology budgets; the second public works, community development and the Greylock Glen.
The Council on Aging and library budgets have increases for wages, equipment, postage and software. The Memorial Day budget is level-funded at $1,450 for flags and for additional expenses the American Legion might have; it had been used to hire bagpipers who are no longer available.
The COA's budget is up 6.76 percent at $241,166. This covers three full-time positions including the director and five regular per diem van drivers and three backup drivers. Savoy also contracts with the town at a cost of $10,000 a year based on the number of residents using its services.
Director Sarah Fontaine said the governor's budget has increased the amount of funding through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs from $12 to $14 per resident age 60 or older.
"So for Adams, based on the 2020 Census data, says we have 2,442 people 60 and older in town," she said. "So that translates to $34,188 from the state to help manage Council on Aging programs and services."
The COA hired a part-time meal site coordinator using the state funds because it was getting difficult to manage the weekday lunches for several dozen attendees, said Fontaine. "And then as we need program supplies or to pay for certain services, we tap into this grant."
Desroches graduated from the Police Academy on March 22 in the top tier in his class. He's currently in the field training program and assigned to Sgt. Curtis Crane.
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Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
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The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
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The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
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