Adams Selectmen Confirm Town Hall, Police Hires

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen last week ratified the hire of Administrative Assistant Brianna Hantman. 

Hantman, who received her degree in political science from St. Michael's College in Vermont, was the office coordinator for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. She will work directly with the Board of Selectmen and the town administrator
 
"During our interview, Ms. Hantman demonstrated not only the skills needed to be successful in this position but also the mix of demeanor, sense of humor and patience that will be required," said Town Administrator Jay Green in a letter recommending Hantman's ratification. 
 
Selectwoman Christine Hoyt said she had the chance to work with Hantman during her time at NBCC. Hoyt also highlighted Hantman's work with the Northern Berkshire vaccination clinics during 2021. 
 
"Bri was also a key individual in all of the vaccination clinics, greeting everybody who came through the doors and also helping to organize the front of the house for all of those clinics and I'm very impressed with your organizational skills," she said. "So I think you're going to be a fantastic addition to this team."
 
In other business, the board ratified the contract of Patrol Officer Michael Strizzi. 
 
Strizzi, a county native, had previously worked as an officer in Bennington, Vt. When asked by Selectman Joe Nowak why he left Bennington, Strizzi said he wanted to work closer to home. 
 
"At the time of this letter he has over 1,200 hours of training given to him through the Vermont Police Academy," said Police Chief K. Scott Kelley. "His desire to serve the communities he lived in never faded. Through a chance encounter after my arrival, he shared as much ... There was no question that I wanted him to be a part of this police department and that was only solidified after speaking with my officers who knew him." 
 
Green said Strizzi will bring the Police Department back to full capacity. 
 
The board heard a complaint from Lisa Mendel about the condition of cars and the former convenience store near her property at 1 Hoosac St. 
 
"There are nine junk cars that are not registered or insured. They've been there since 2009 ... The other issue is the state of the convenience store. That's really quite a hazard. There's holes there. There's tie backs. It's been like that for years and I'm hoping that the board can do something about that," she said. 
 
Town Administrator Jay Green said the convenience store situation is being handled by Building Commissioner Gerald Garner. Kelley said he and Garner plan to deal with cars on Tuesday.
 
• The board ratified the contract of per-diem Assistant Electrical Inspector Chad Wagenknecht. 
 
• The board approved a weekly entertainment license for Red's Viking Pub LLC at 83 Commercial St. 
 
• The board approved weekly and Sunday entertainment licenses for 17 Commercial Street Restaurant and Inn LLC, doing business as Haflinger Haus.
 
• The board's next meeting is scheduled for July 20. 
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Regional Trail Coordinator Barnes Retires After Four Decades With DCR

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires.com Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Department of Conservation and Recreation celebrated the retirement of Trails Supervisor Rebecca Barnes after four decades of service.
 
Friends and colleagues gathered in the Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center and park offices on Wednesday to celebrate Barnes.
 
She began working at Mount Greylock State Reservation while in high school as a seasonal conservation helper, saying she fell in love with the place.
 
"Fell in love with Mount Greylock, and ever since I've been doing different jobs and different positions," said the Hoosac Valley graduate. "But I came full circle back to Mount Greylock at the end of the career, and I've been taking care of the forest and parks for 40 years now, and loving it, the trails, the campgrounds, the summit, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail."
 
Priscilla Geigis, deputy commissioner for conservation and resource stewardship, wrote a song the group sang for Barnes, who she said has inspired her during the more than 20 years they've worked together. 
 
"Becky is so enthusiastic. She's so kind. She's funny. She's creative. She's really passionate and she's really dedicated. And I will miss all of those qualities," said Geigis. "She really knows how to balance conservation and recreation. She is so committed to connecting people to our incredible resources, not just here at her beloved Greylock, but also throughout the state to really make that connection and to pass on that idea that everyone has a role to play in stewardship. 
 
"And you can see that time and again with all of her work in mentoring our staff, in mentoring young people who are just starting out, mentoring volunteers, just really making that connection. And so she's a really hard worker. She she will do anything."
 
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