Adams Board of Selectmen Reinstates Winter Parking Ban
ADAMS, Mass — The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the reinstatement of a winter on-street parking ban, which will run from Nov. 15 to March 31.
After a one-year trial period last winter, during which on-street parking was allowed, the board decided at its Nov. 3 meeting that safety concerns and issues surrounding informing residents of weather emergencies were enough reason to reinstate the ban.
"As much as we tried to get the word out that an emergency was declared and asking people to park off the street, that word wasn't getting out their cars were still left in place," said Town Administrator Jay Green
The board initially discussed reinstating the ban at an Oct. 27 workshop meeting. Present at that meeting to discuss the trial period were Department of Public Works Operations Supervisor Tim Cote and Police Chief K. Scott Kelley.
In other business, the board unanimously approved to ratify a contract for a general government review consultant from Paradigm Associates. The board approved $20,000 for the consultant, who will help the town review its charter for updating.
The consultant will aid a Government Study Committee that will explore the charter and the governing of Adams. This committee will operate for between 12 and 15 months, and the board will discuss who will be on the committee at the next workshop meeting.
Board Chair John Duval said the last time the town reviewed its charter was about 15 years ago. He said he took part in that process and believes the charter needs another look.
"It's been a long time and needs to be looked at, and I think we all realize that it's time," Duval said.
• The board unanimously approved a reserve fund transfer of $33,000 to repair the elevator in Town Hall. The board initially discussed the transfer and the specifics behind the repairs at an Oct. 27 workshop meeting.
Green said the town does not have much choice in repairing the elevator due to state and federal regulations.
"It's just one of those things that needs to be done," he said.
With the Selectmen's approval, the Finance Committee will have to approve the transfer. Once approved, the work will take approximately four to five days.
"I think this reiterates the need for a facilities maintenance plan," Selectmen Member Howard Rosenberg said.
Green said the town needs to keep buildings maintained. He also explained that both Adams and the county need to be proactive about obtaining state funding.
"Somebody told me at a meeting earlier that we had the nicest town hall in the county," he said. "We do, it's a historic mansion, but at the same time, she costs money to maintain and keep up. And we have an obligation to do that."
• The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved to install 17 National Grid poles in town, three on Gould Road and 14 on Thiel Road.
Green said it is the town that requested the polls, not National Grid. He explained the polls are a part of the Greylock Glen Project. The installation will be complete by spring 2022.
The board unanimously approved a one-year Council on Aging agreement with Savoy. Savoy will give the town $35,000 as part of the agreement.
Interim Director of the Council on Aging Barbara Proper was present to give her thoughts on the proposal. She said many Savoy residents are already utilizing the town's Council on Aging services, which is why coming to an agreement made sense.
"We do offer a lot of services to other towns. And this is a great service that Savoy will be receiving," Proper said.
• The board unanimously approved the purchase of a $165,000 Volvo excavator from the Department of Public Works. The town will purchase the excavator with Chapter 90 funding and will pay for it in installments of $33,000 a year for five years.
Vice Chairwoman Christine Hoyt said while the town does not generally need to approve Chapter 90 requests, they had to in this case because the contract with Volvo exceeds three years.
• The board ratified the hire of a new community development administrative assistant, Isaiah Moore. Eammon Coughlin, director of community development, spoke highly of Moore.
"We interviewed two or three folks for this job, some really, really talented people," he said. "And I'll say Isaiah definitely blew everyone else out of the water."
• The board unanimously approved a facility use request for the Turkey Trot from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Nov. 25. The roads set for use are North Summer Street, Lime Street and Industrial Park.
The board unanimously approved setting the dog license fee for spring 2022. The price will be $10 for spayed or neutered pets and $20 otherwise.
