Adams Gets Another Shipment of COVID Tests, PPE

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The town has received another shipment of COVID tests and personal protective equipment.

The Board of Health discussed the shipment, which arrived at the Council on Aging for storage prior to distribution, at its meeting on Tuesday. Board Chair David Rhoads said the town received 23 boxes with 90 test kits each, which will be distributed and made available throughout town by the board, the Council on Aging, town emergency responders and others.  

"[COA Director] Sarah [Fontaine] was in the process of divvying them up and organizing. She anticipated being able to distribute them throughout town how some point this week," said Code Enforcement Officer Sarah Lesure.

Rhoads and Vice Chair Board Amy Oberlin said they distributed some tests at Ramblefest over the weekend. Several event-goers, they said, were interested.

"Amy and I passed out several dozen at Ramblefest," he said. "... They gave us a few more boxes this time around. So that's why I felt I could grab one myself that we just passed out and have for the Board of Health."  

The board also briefly discussed its coronavirus messaging on the town website. Rhoads said he added the Berkshire Public Health Alliance's vaccination clinic list.


Oberlin suggested adding the CDC vaccination location website as well.

"There is a CDC link on here but it just links to their website, so I was thinking, if you can if we can put a link up there that goes directly to their vaccine search, their vaccine provider search," she said, noting she had trouble herself finding a vaccine appointment.

In other business, Rhoads updated the board on ongoing work by the Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District for mattress recycling program agreement with Dalton. He said changes to mattress recycling regulations, which require specific disposal methods, necessitated the change.

"They dispose of it in the appropriate way. So more to come on that," he said.  

Rhoads said he is in the process of sending the board's sanitary code regulations to the central Department Environmental Protection Registry.

"I investigated and, indeed yes, the DEP does have a registry. So all of our regulations regarding the environmental code, sanitary code, are supposed to be sent to the central register," he said, noting he was waiting on the approved minutes from that night to send the letter to the registry.


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Letter: Supporting Organizations That Keep Our Communities Strong

Letter to the Editor

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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