ADAMS, Mass. — Taxes, roads, housing and economic development, and tourism were on the agenda at a candidate forum on Thursday.

 

The three candidates for two seats on the Board of Selectmen — Joseph Nowak, Jay Meczywor and Jerome Socolof — answered questions during the 90-minute forum at the former Firehouse Cafe.

 

It was hosted the Adams Democratic Committee and Adams Concerned Citizens, and recorded for Northern Berkshire Community Television. Peter Wagner was moderator and the questions were supplied or informed by residents.

 

Nowak is running for a sixth term on the board; Meczywor, chair of the Finance Committee, is making his first run for office and Socolof his second. Incumbent Richard Blanchard declined to run again. 

 

The candidates mostly agreed on the town's needs but varied on the solutions. 

 

They concurred that road conditions and a high tax rate are concerning, but noted the difficulties of making changes when there's been little growth and high poverty. 

 

"Ultimately, the roads have to be a top two or three priority in Adams," said Socolof. "If we want to pursue economic growth, if we want to bring people here, to continue to develop new housing opportunities, if we want people to come to Adams, either as a destination for a vacation or relocation effort ... all of that is going to be contingent upon addressing the caliber of the roads."