Adams Receives $2.9M for Greylock Glen Water Infrastructure

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The town is receiving $2.9 million in federal funds to support water infrastructure for the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center. 

"This essentially almost funds, let's say 99 percent, of all the funds that we need to finally build out what the master vision is of the glen," said Town Administrator Jay Green at Wednesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. 
 
The money will specifically be used for the potable drinking water system at the glen, with construction for the project expected to begin sometime in late June. Green congratulated special projects coordinator and former Community Development Director Donna Cesan, who has been working on the project since it began well more than a decade ago. 
 
"Essentially, we can breathe a little easier knowing that we have the money to finally complete the infrastructure work up there. ... We're attempting to arrange to have Congressman [Richard] Neal and the governor here. In order to do that, we're thinking right now that they can synch their schedules up for some time in July," he said. 
 
The town is the developer for the 54-acre glen, part of the Mount Greylock State Reservation, and the state has committed $7.3 million to the construction of the outdoor center. 
 
In other business, Administrative Assistant Deborah Dunlap will be leaving the position on June 3. Green thanked Dunlap for her work with the town. 
 
Selectman Joseph Nowak said he will miss Dunlap's hard-working attitude as a town employee. 
 
"You can always replace a person, but I think it's going to be difficult to replace someone of Deb's caliber, who gave it her all under really difficult conditions," he said. 
 
The board approved the Council on Aging state formula grant. The 10-year grant is based on 2010 Census data and will award the COA $26,160. 
 
• The board approved a one-day entertainment license for the Berkshire Mountain Fairie Festival from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 18 at Bowe Field. This year will be the first time the festival has operated since 2019. 
 
"We're moving forward. We've got some younger people involved. We've got some people who are more theatrical, I'll say. So that's really exciting," said Gail Sellers, one of the event's organizers. 
 
• The board ratified the hire of a Council on Aging per diem van driver Charles Gebauer. Gebauer, a Savoy resident, had been a driver for the COA in the past. 

Tags: federal funds,   Greylock Glen,   

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Adams Man Gets 20 Years for Child Sex Assault

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man has been sentenced to 15 to 20 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a child. 
 
Michael Hiser, 39, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury on June 11 of single counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and indecent exposure; two counts of posing or exhibiting a child in the nude, and three counts of photographing an unsuspecting nude child.
 
He was sentenced on Tuesday to prison for the aggravated indecent assault, with further sentencing of eight to 10 years for the indecent assault, four to five for the photographing and 2 1/2 for indecent exposure, all to be served concurrently. Hiser was also sentenced to five years probation on the posing or exhibiting charge, with conditions not to contact or go near the victim and no unsupervised contact with minors. He will have to register with the Sex Offender Registry Board and take sex offender treatment. 
 
Investigators found that from approximately 2020 to 2022, Hiser would sneak into the victim's room at night to inappropriately photogram and touch them inappropriately. Additionally, he would follow the victim around the house and photograph them with inappropriate intent. An additional incident involved the defendant acting in a sexual manner in the presence of the minor and the investigators found multiple explicit images of the victim on Hiser's phone.
 
"Cases of child abuse and child sexual abuse shake the foundation of our community," said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "Today justice has been served on behalf of a child who survived unimaginable abuse. While the guilty verdict and lengthy sentence do not take away any of the horrific crimes the defendant committed, I hope today provides an opportunity for both the child and their family to move forward."
 
Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Andrew Giarolo represented the commonwealth and Associate Director of Victim Witness Advocates Kristen Rapkowicz served as the victim witness advocate on behalf of the DA's Office. The Adams Police Department with assistance from a Williamstown Police Department's Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force digital evidence unit officer led the investigation.
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