Cheshire Community House Boilers to Be Repaired

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The aging boilers in the Community House will be repaired until a new system can be completed. 
 
The town's Smith cast-iron boilers were installed in 2005. Only one of the two boilers is working and the functional one is failing. It was explained that the furnaces were supplementing each other.
 
"We need to do something sooner than later, because we're having problems with the boilers right now," Town Administrator Jennifer Morse said. 
 
Both furnaces have issues such as serious internal blockages, extensive calcium and rust buildup, and ongoing leaks.
 
During its meeting on Tuesday, the Select Board approved a quote from Jamrog HVAC for the repairs of the boiler that has been out of order.
 
Jamrog was the lowest bidder out of the three submissions at $47,905 and the repairs include installing the nine new sections, new rope and seals, new breach, and new low-water cut-off. 
 
Additionally, its services include a certified welder, torque to specification, the reinstallation of the existing jacket, burner, and smoke pipe, and firing up the boiler for test operation.
 
During a previous meeting, Department of Public Works Director Corey McGrath explained how at this point, any repair measures are temporary fixes and continued repairs are becoming more costly than it is worth. 
 
At the previous meeting, he presented to the board a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering and design-services proposal from Tighe & Bond Designer Services. More information here. 

Tags: HVAC,   town hall,   

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Adams Eyes 2031 Construction for Howland Avenue Safety Improvements

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — For several years, the town has been working on plans to improve safety along Howland Avenue, with the reconstruction project now anticipated for inclusion in the 2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
 
The overhaul to Howland Avenue is aimed at reducing speeding, improving roadway safety and expanding pedestrian and bicycle access. The project also seeks to address aging infrastructure and deteriorating roadway conditions along the Route 8 corridor.
 
Howland Avenue currently consists of four travel lanes, with two lanes in each direction, creating a wide roadway that allows vehicles to travel at higher speeds.
 
According to VHB, the town's engineering consultant, Howland Avenue carries an average of 14,223 vehicles daily. Although the posted speed limit is 45 mph, traffic studies found that the roadway's 85th-percentile operating speed is 56 mph.
 
"This four-lane cross section was constructed in 1997 with the goal of providing roadway capacity for traffic anticipated to be generated by redevelopment in the area, which never occurred," VHB's Pre-25 percent design submission said.
 
"The improvement project was initiated to enhance safety, accessibility, and multimodal connectivity while addressing deteriorated pavement, drainage, and utility needs." 
 
The proposed redesign includes reducing the existing four-lane roadway to one 11-foot travel lane in each direction from the Specialty Minerals Facility to just South of the North Adams City Line. 
 
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