Adams to Hold Special Town Meeting Nov. 15

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
10:12AM / Tuesday, October 11, 2022Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass. — Town meeting members will be asked to approve additional money for repairs and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant at a special town meeting to be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Memorial Building

The warrant is open for citizen's petitions until 5 p.m. on Oct 19.

Town meeting gave the OK to just over $5 million for the plant in 2021. The plant was built in 1968 and had only a partial upgrade in 2006.

Town Accountant Crystal Wojcik said the additional amount needed is in the range of about $2 million.

"After the bids went out, it came back and it turned out that the project was higher than expected," she said. "So we are going back to town meeting to ask for authorization for the additional amount of money."

In other business, the board approved a facility use request for the Pumpkin Walk from Oct. 28 to 30. The board also set the hours for trick-or-treating, which will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Halloween.

"Last year, I don't know how many pumpkins we had, but we had a lot of pumpkins all out on display," said Town Clerk Haley Meczywor on the Pumpkin Walk. "We put Little tea lights inside and we light them up, and there's jack-o'-lanterns all over the place at the Visitor Center. It's wonderful for the young children, and it's wonderful for the younger adults and the older adults. It's inter-generational so you can come on down with your whole family, and you get to enjoy and walk around and see all the neat carvings that everybody has done."

The board also approved a facility use request from the Adams Lions Club for its annual Halloween parade on Oct. 30. The club will serve hot dogs to participants of the event free of charge.

The board approved adjustments to the activity use limitations for 1 Cook St., the former Hoosac Valley Coal and Grain site, which will soon be a park. Coughlin said site cleanup has allowed them to lessen the restrictions on the property.

The board ratified the position of Kevin Rayner as a planner for the town. Rayner started on Oct. 6.

The board approved a prorated seasonal liquor license for Poseidon Coffee.

The board ratified the position of operator Tristan Frieri.

The board approved an entertainment license for the Firehouse Cafe.

Tags: special town meeting,

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Letter: Supporting Organizations That Keep Our Communities Strong

Letter to the Editor06:05PM / Monday, October 26, 2026

To the Editor:

Berkshire County is home to many cultural gems, and the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (BSRM) is certainly one of them. Its Hoosac Valley Train Ride has become a cherished holiday tradition for families from near and far, offering a unique opportunity to experience our region's history, beauty, and sense of community.

It was heartbreaking to learn of the fire and the damage it caused. At the same time, it has been encouraging to see the determination of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's team as they assess the damage, work toward repairs, and do everything possible to get the trains back in service and honor scheduled rides. Their commitment to rebuilding and moving forward is a testament to the passion and perseverance that keep BSRM alive.

The impact of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum extends well beyond the tracks. Here in Adams, the organization is an important part of our local economy. With approximately 10,000 riders annually, the Hoosac Valley Train Ride brings thousands of visitors to our community. Many of those visitors also spend time exploring our cultural attractions, dining at local restaurants, shopping at our businesses, and filling their gas tanks before heading home. That ripple effect matters, particularly to a small community like Adams.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Adams Fire Department for its work to fight the fire. We are fortunate to have dedicated firefighters who respond when our community needs them most. Their service is a powerful reminder of the importance of the people who give their time, energy, and expertise to protect our neighbors, our history, and our community.

Volunteer organizations are often the backbone of our towns. Whether they are responding to emergencies, preserving our history, or creating meaningful experiences for families, these organizations bring people together and help make the Berkshires a place we are proud to call home. They deserve our recognition, our gratitude, and our support — not just in times of crisis, but throughout the year. I am grateful to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum for its determination and commitment to rebuilding, and to the Adams Fire Department for its service to our community.

I hope we will all do what we can to help the railway recover and continue sharing this special piece of Berkshire County history with future generations.

Christine Hoyt
Adams, Mass.

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