Adams General Government Review Committee Creates Working Plan

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass. — The General Government Review Committee has created a working plan for the next several months as it continues working on updating the town charter.

Community Paradigm Associates consultant Bernard Lynch created the plan, which will guide the group in future meetings, based on discussions the group has had previously. Topics include town meeting structure, executive and personnel functions, modes of appointment for town officials, financial management and other issues.

Lynch said he hopes the committee is able to complete discussion of one topic per meeting but noted some discussions might take more or less time than others.

"We don't have to make a decision [on a given topic] that night," he said. "I think we should try, if we can, to make decisions as we go on. But if somebody has to be held over for additional information, we can."


Committee Chair Donald Sommer and member George Haddad suggested the committee consult with and invite town employees to speak on some topics. Lynch agreed and said the working plan is subject to change based on feedback and discussions by the board.

"Don't think that this is carved in stone here. As we get into each one, you may say, 'We're getting ready to talk about town administrator responsibilities. Can we have the town administrator of, name the town, talk to us?,'" he said.

Lynch said committee members should be ready to present to the Board of Selectmen on July 20 to showcase of what they have done so far. He said he is hopeful that the group can have its final recommendations ready early in 2023.

"What we'll probably need to do to cover all these topics within the next six to seven months is we're probably going to need to meet every three to four weeks," he said.


Tags: charter review,   

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

Adams Sees No Races So Far

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — With less than a week left before nomination papers are due, there are currently no contested seats.
 
Only selectman incumbent John Duval has returned papers. Selectman Howard Rosenberg has decided not to seek re-election. 
 
Rosenberg, who was elected in 2021, said he has chosen not to run again to make room for younger candidates.
 
"I feel strongly, we need younger people running for public office,  as the future of our town lies within the younger  generation. The world is so fundamentally different today and rapidly changing to become even more so. I believe we need people who are less interested in trying to bring back the past, then in paving the way for a promising future. The younger generation can know that they can stay here and have a voice without having to leave for opportunities elsewhere," he said.
 
The only person to return papers so far is former member the board Donald Sommer. Sommer served as a selectman from 2007 to 2010 and before that was a member of the School Committee and the Redevelopment Authority. He ran unsuccessfully for selectman in 2019 and again in 2021 but dropped out of before the election.
 
Incumbent Moderator Myra Wilk and Town Clerk Haley Meczywor have returned papers for their respective positions.
 
Assessor Paula Wheeler has returned papers and incumbents James Loughman and Eugene Michalenko have returned papers for library trustees.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories