Adams to Host Historical Signs Project
ADAMS, Mass. — A new historical signs project is coming to Adams in the coming months.
The Historical Commission presented the project to the Selectmen on Wednesday with renderings of the new signs. Ray Gargan of the Historical Commission said the materials are getting finalized with the sign maker this week.
The signs will be 6 feet tall and slightly under a yard wide. They match the style of the signs currently at the Visitor Center. Each sign is supported on one side by three metal hinges connected to a pole.
There will be five sets of signs, each of which contains different content on each side. The sets of signs will be at Town Hall, the library, McKinley Square, Adams Station and the Visitor Center. Despite the signs being numbered, they are not meant to be read in any specific order.
Gargan said the project "tells a story of the golden age of Adams." He noted that the mills and the railroad brought about historic growth for the town, including a doubling of the population within 30 years.
The signs correspond to the stories on them. For instance, one sign in McKinley Square tells the story of President William McKinley's relationship with the town.
This history project is sponsored by 1Berkshire, Adams Community Bank, Adams Plumbing & Heating, Greylock Federal Credit Union and SBM Insurance, among others.
Selectman Howard Rosenberg said the signs will be a boon to economic development because "people want to come to places that are unique and interesting."
In other business, the Board of Selectmen discussed plans for a Memorial Day parade now that the state is lifting capacity limits on May 29. Chairman John Duval said there is "just not enough time to put together" a full parade, so the board discussed a limited version of the normal parade. There was no ceremony last Memorial Day due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The Board of Selectman also ratified the hire of Eammon Coughlin as the new community development director. Coughlin was formerly on the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and is "very excited to get started" in his new role. Selectman Joe Nowak said "a good planner is worth his or her weight in gold," arguing that the $80,058 salary, while seemingly high, is well worth it for a planner.
Adams Forest Warden Richard Kleiner also updated the board on the wildland fire in Clarksburg State Forest being officially out. The fire had burned through 947 acres between Friday and Monday evening. Kleiner brought to the board's attention some broken pieces of equipment in the Forest Warden's office, including an all-terrain vehicle. Kleiner and Town Administrator Jay Green said they are looking into replacements and will eventually request emergency transfer funds from the Finance Committee.
Tags: historical commission, signage,
