Adams Nomination Papers for May 2 Election Available

ADAMS, Mass. — Those interested in running for an elected position in the May 2 election can pick up nomination papers at the town clerk's office.

Including the numerous town meeting seats for each of the town's five precincts, there are a total of 75 open positions set to be on the ballot in May. Among the most notable openings is two three-year terms on the Board of Selectmen, currently held by board members Richard Blanchard and Joseph Nowak.

Two seats on the Board of Health are also up for re-election, one for a three-year term and another for two years. The two-year term seat is currently held by Joyce Brewer and the other by Peter Hoyt.

One Planning Board sear, a five-year term currently held by Sandra Moderski, will be on the ballot.

The position of treasurer and tax collector will be up for re-election. The seat is a three-year term held by current Treasurer and Tax Collector Kelly Rice.

A three-year term on the Board of Assessors, a seat filled by Lorraine Kalisz, will also be available.

Aisling Mountain Farm Owners Say Town Scrutiny Has Damaged Business

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:21AM / Sunday, November 08, 2026

Christian Rowe with Sofie, one of its therapy horses. One of its herd had to be sold off because the farm had to pull back on therapy services. 

ADAMS, Mass. — What began as a dispute between neighboring property owners has escalated into a prolonged conflict spanning multiple town boards and departments, leading Aisling Mountain Farm's operators to question whether some officials have overstepped their authority.

 

Farm owner Kathryn Foley purchased the 22-acre property at 185 West Road in 2019 to establish an equestrian facility at the base of Mount Greylock. The farm offers horse boarding and leasing services and, until recently, also provided riding lessons and equine therapy.

 

For several years, Foley and her boyfriend, Christian Rowe, who serves as the farm's estate manager, say they have faced a pattern of harassment, false reporting, and alleged misuse of authority by certain municipal employees. 

 

These actions have been compounded by a separate dispute with the company that constructed the riding arena over unforeseen permitting requirements, which have interfered with the farm's ability to provide some of its services, resulting in the closure of its animal-assisted psychotherapy services and riding lessons. 

 

"I have done everything to try to work quietly with the town, with the company … I am not about causing drama … My whole profession is helping people, and that's all I want to do, and I want to do things right, and I want to do my job the right way for people because that's what they deserve," Foley said. 

 

"It breaks my heart that nobody's getting their services, and the last thing I want to do is create a bunch of extra drama around this."

 

The farm had to sell one of its horses, May, who was frequently used in therapy. Its remaining horses include Guinness, Monty, Asher and Sofie, along with miniature therapy horses Latte and Knick Knack.