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The hopes to have the water system completed this year in time for the projected opening of the outdoor center in October.

Contractors Attend Conference for Greylock Glen Water System

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — Several contractors visited Town Hall on Thursday morning to attend a pre-bid conference for the water system at the Greylock Glen. 

 

The prospective bidders received a brief overview of the project, what work it will entail and background on the entire glen development. The scope of the work consists of, among other things, a water storage tank, a water main, electrical work, piping and instrumentation work. 

 

Project manager Edward Whatley of Wright-Pierce Engineering said they hope to get work done on the water system as soon as possible. The town will accept bids on the project until 3 p.m. on Jan. 24. 

 

"There's a real impetus to get this project done as quick as possible," he said. "Ideally, we would have had it out a year ago, but it is what it is. Definitely, the sooner this can get done, I think everyone would really benefit because that building is really waiting for the water from this project." 

 

When asked about potential supply-chain issues for some items, such as ductile iron piping, Whatley said they would deal with it if any problems arise. Town Administrator Jay Green said the target opening for the outdoor center is some time in October, but supply and other problems could always impact that date. 

 

"That's the nice time that we think it would make sense to open the building. But I don't think there's anyone who doesn't understand supply-chain issues, constructability, weather, things like that," he said. "We just need to take it one step at a time, but we want everyone to know that, in a perfect lovely world, it would be nice to have this being wrapped up in early September so we can get water to the building. If that's just physically not possible, then we understand that, and we'll do what we need do to make sure the public understands this is just the way it is." 

 

Donna Cesan, the town's special projects coordinator, said work on the outdoor center is going smoothly. She said the town plans to work closely with the contractor to solve any issues during the project, as they did with the outdoor center. 

 

"I think most of the infrastructure in the ground has been completed," she said. "The site contractor will come back in the spring, when conditions allow, to do parking areas and that type of thing. But the building, they're working now on getting the walls up, and the trusses for the roof are all done so they're moving along." 

 

The estimated cost of the entire water system is about $3.8 million. In May last year, the project got $2.9 million in federal funding for water infrastructure at the glen. This funding is in addition to the $7.3 million the state has committed to the outdoor center's construction.


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Adams Fire Plans to Keep Public Informed on Station

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ADAMS, Mass. — The Prudential Committee hopes to invite the public to see the fire station and explain its needs.

The Fire District is trying to address the deteriorating building and is moving forward with a needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects, a company that specializes in public safety design. The $8,000 for this was approved at the annual meeting earlier this year. 

The first order of the process is the space needs assessment. Fire Chief David Lennon and Water Superintendent John Barrett at the July 27 meeting discussed inviting the public to tour the building as they start the assessment.

In other news, the Fire Department hired a full-time firefighter and three on-call firefighters.

The board discussed new jackets for employees who are 65 and older to signify and distinguish them when at a scene. This is to prevent the Fire Department from running afoul of a state law mandating retirement of active firefighters at age 65. 

The district is also still mulling expanding the district townwide. It currently does not cover areas of the town that are not on the water system but the Fire Department responds to any fire and emergency calls within the town's borders. 

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