Adams Housing Authority Picks William Schrade as New Executive Director

ADAMS, Mass. — The Housing Authority Board of Directors voted to hire William Schrade for the executive director position. 

"Bill has some strong leadership skills, credentials to lead the team," said board Chair Linda Cernik on what Schrade will bring to the housing authority as director. 

The board interviewed two candidates at its meeting on Feb. 22 to find a replacement for Patricia Volpi, the current executive director. Despite picking Schrade for the job, all board members spoke to the difficulty of the decision, noting both candidates were more than qualified and would be a good choice for the position. 

"I think they both did a really good job interviewing. To me, it's a little on the tough side to decide," said Vice Chair Kelly Rice. 

Schrade is currently maintenance director at the Pittsfield Housing Authority and previously worked at the North Adams Housing Authority. Once contract negotiations are complete, the board said the next step for Schrade is to participate in training in June before officially beginning the position on July 1.

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.