Adams Receives $2.9M for Greylock Glen Water Infrastructure

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

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,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Community Bank Holds Annual Meeting, Announce Growth

ADAMS, Mass. — The annual meeting of the Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, MHC, the parent company of Adams Community Bank, was held on April 10, 2024, at Charles H. McCann Technical School in North Adams.
 
The meeting included reviewing the 2023 financial statements for the Bank, electing directors and corporators, and highlighting upcoming executive personnel changes.
 
"In 2023, the Bank experienced another year of growth in assets, loans, and deposits, noting the Pittsfield branch reached $26 million in customer deposits from its opening in December of 2022," President and CEO of Adams Community Bank Charles O'Brien said. "Those deposits were loaned out locally during 2023 and helped drive our #1 ranking in both mortgage and commercial real estate lending, according to Banker and Tradesman."
 
At year-end 2023, total assets were $995 million, and O'Brien noted the Bank crossed the $1 billion threshold during the first quarter of 2024.
 
Board chair Jeffrey Grandchamp noted with O'Brien's upcoming retirement, this will be the final annual meeting of the CEO's tenure since he joined the Bank in 1997. He thanked him for his 27 years of dedication to the Bank. He acknowledged the evolution of the Bank as it became the premier community bank in the Berkshires, noting that branches grew from 3 to 10, that employees grew from 40 to 135, and that assets grew from $127 million to $1 billion. 
 
An executive search is underway for O'Brien's replacement.
View Full Story

More Adams Stories