ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen cheered the Hoosac Valley High girls basketball team last week on their back-to-back District 5 state championships.

 

Selectman Joseph Nowak, who organized the recognition, said, "these Lady 'Canes have really shown what grit really is. And I've known these kids for such a long time, and I've seen them grow, and I've seen them mature. 

 

"And these kids aren't just good athletes. They're talented in a classroom, they're well versed, and they are taking a lot of activities within the school and as a community, we should be very proud of them."

 

He called each girl by name and her stand up for recognition along with coach  Jon Frederick and assistant coaches Kailynne Frederick and Trish Carlo. 

 

"So there's a look at our great team. And you know, it warms my heart that we can share something that's kind of fuzzy and happy," he said, instead of the back and forth the board sometimes gets into.

 

Chair John Duval said it was a big deal and noted how many other communities would see this on Northern Berkshire Community Television.

 

"I just think back 44 years now, when I was in a similar situation, when our football team won the championship ... every time that I meet with my fellow teammates since then, that's pretty much all we talk about is our championship team, and we feel pretty proud about that, and it's really was our glory days back then," he said. "So we are tied for life. ...

 

"I hope the same thing happens for you. So congratulations. You make us very proud in the town of Adams."

 

Selectwoman Christine Hoyt congratulated them but also asked them to take a moment to look around the room at all the support they have. 

 

"Your parents have shown up to all of your games, your practices, family friends, you have teachers at the school, and you have some municipal officials who have been cheering you on," she said. "So just make sure that you keep in mind all of that support, and hopefully that fuels you going forward."

 

Selectwoman Ann Bartlett said her family had watched their games, though she had to watch their Springfield winning game on the computer. 

 

"You guys were awesome," she said. "Congratulations."

 

Nowak also presented citations to each player from state Rep. John Barrett III and Duval read proclamations on behalf of the board and from state Sen. Paul Mark. Nowak said he had also reached out U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office and that congressman would be sending something and would speak about them on the House floor as part of the congressional record. 

 

The players also signed a basketball and banner proclaiming their victory. They were to be displayed in Town Hall and Nowak was going to ask Cheshire if they would like to display it. 

 

Team captains Maryn Cappiello, Ashlyn Lesure and Emma Meczywor thanked their supporters, especially "Mr. Joe," and spoke a little about their plans for the future. 

 

"Thanks for having us here. It certainly means a lot, I think, to the team, to us, to the school, but you know, it's all about the kids right now," said Jon Frederick. "Couldn't be prouder of them, the work that they put in, day in and day out. ... hopefully we're back here again next year with for the third one, and then I'll retire."

 

The girls were given vases with roses, a packet of postcards of Adams landmarks by the Historical Society, Susan B. Anthony coins from Adams Community Bank, and mugs with a bear riding a bicycle on the Ashuwillticook Trail from the Community Development Office. 

 

The meeting can be watched on YouTube.com here. 

 

In other business, Prudential Committee Chair Thomas A. Satko, spoke in open forum to remind members of the Fire District that the annual election is May 13 from noon to 6, followed by the annual meeting at 7 p.m. at the fire house. An informational meeting will be held Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m.

 

• The board appointed Sarah Lesure as administrative assistant II in the town clerk's office and Board of Health Chair Dr. David Rhoads and Finance Committee member Carol Cushenette to the Northern Berkshire Opioid Abatement Collaborative. 

 

Lesure was the code enforcement officer and has worked for the town for five years; at the request of the buildign commissioner, she will continue to perform Title Five septic inspections at a rate of $28.77 an hour until a qualified successor can be hired. She starts in the clerk's office at Grade 6, step 8 $23.92 an hour and will maintain her current benefits. 

 

However, Kathryn Foley of West Road strongly objected to Lesure's appointment, claiming she had "demonstrated a pattern of abuse of her governmental position and ethical violations for personal gain." 

 

Duval thought Lesure was a good fit and when provided an opportunity to rebut, Lesure declined. 

 

"I love Sarah, but I want to kind of look into this kind of thing, because I know that there is some back and forth going on," said Nowak, as part of a selectman's due diligence. 

 

Duval said this issue was for the town clerk's office not code enforcement.

 

• The board opened the town meeting warrant with a closing date of April 16 and set annual town meeting for Tuesday, June 17, at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Building.

 

• The board referred an Open Meeting complaint from Catherine Foster dated March 31 to town counsel.