Adams Parks Commission Chairman Resigns

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — Parks Commission Chairman Paul Anthony Nowicki resigned before Monday's meeting.

The board now has two openings it is looking to fill. The board voted to make members Jacob Schutz and James Fassell interim co-chairs until vacancies are filled and a new member can be appointed chairman.

"We'd like to thank Paul for his time working with us. I've enjoyed it and we wish him well," Schutz said.

Those interested in filling one of the vacant seats on the board can contact Administrative Assistant Michelle DeRose. Rose said there had not yet been any interest from residents about wanting to fill a vacancy on the board.

Schutz said he hopes the positions can be filled as soon as possible.

"I'm not sure if the Selectmen are going to be advertising at their next meeting, but I know that they've done that in the past," he said.

Despite the shortage of members, the board seemed confident that they could get done any work that is needed of them until vacancies are filled.



"It's gonna be exciting moving forward," Schutz said. "Hopefully, we get some people to join us but we'll take care of business with the three of us until that happens."

Also discussed by the board was the creation of a new shed for Valley Street Field to replace the current one which is in disrepair. Parks Foreman Steve Skrocki said McCann Technical School is willing to help build the structure once he gets a better estimate on their cost.

"They want to build it for us, but I can't put the cart before the horse, so I have to get some prices for material," he said.

Skrocki said the size and scope of the new shed will depend on material costs.

The board also read a letter from Indica LLC about holding a community outreach meeting for its marijuana dispensary. The proposed dispensary, which would be located at 127 Columbia St., is in close proximity to Renfrew Park.

"Not sure it will have much of an impact on the park, but it's nice that they're opening it up to the folks to listen and give their input," Schutz said.


Tags: board vacancies,   parks commission,   resignation,   

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Hoosac Valley Train Car Catches Fire

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
ADAMS, Mass. — A malfunctioning heating pad is the suspected cause for a fire at one of the Hoosac Valley Service's train cars. 
 
The fire broke out about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and posts to Facebook show heavy flames and smokes on the side of the historic Budd Car 41. 
 
"We got dispatched to a train on fire, and when we got here, that's exactly what it was. It was a train on fire," said Fire Chief David Lennon. "We did have flames showing. We did have information from dispatch that there were no people on board. It was locked."
 
The incident is still under investigation but he said the best guess was the heating pad to keep the lines warm malfunctioned and the drip pads underneath ignited. 
 
Melanie Seiden, executive director of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, said the weekend rides had been completed for the day and only some staff were still at the Adams Station. 
 
The rides are approximately an hour and the last one is usually completed around 4 p.m. The last two weekends have been fall foliage rides and a Halloween one is scheduled for next weekend. 
 
Seiden said car will be taken out of service and that scheduled rides will go on. 
 
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