ADAMS, Mass. — Jordan Street residents displaced by a years-old culvert collapse have a place to park this winter, but town officials remain in the dark regarding when the culvert will actually be fixed.

 

The Select Board on Wednesday approved a traffic commission recommendation to allow permitted on-street parking for specific residents during the winter parking ban.

 

Interim Town Administrator Holli Jayko explained that the collapse, which occurred behind a Jordan Street apartment building several years ago, effectively eliminated off-street parking for several households.

 

"This collapse eliminated parking for some residents which creates challenges during the winter parking-ban period," Jayko said.

 

While most residents on the narrow, one-way street have access to private parking, a select few were left with no legal options during the winter months. Those affected can now apply for a town permit, provided they can prove their parking loss is a direct result of the collapse.

 

Selectman Joseph Nowak noted the culvert has been "down for years" and questioned if there were any immediate plans for repair.

 

Community Development Director Donna Cesan said the town has been working with the Massachusetts and Federal Emergency Management agencies through the Hazard Mitigation Program, but the project is currently stalled at the federal level. Cesan noted that MEMA will not enter into a formal agreement until funding is fully secured.

 

"It has taken more than two years to go through all of the analysis and to prepare construction documents," Cesan said. "All that was done and submitted to FEMA mid-year. They have had it for some time now."

 

Originally, MEMA requested $1.7 million for the fix; that figure has now risen to $2.8 million. Cesan indicated she is in constant contact with the town's MEMA representative but had no new information to report.

 

In other business, Cesan provided an update on the fiscal year 2022/23 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, focusing on the implementation of recently awarded funds.

 

The town was awarded a total of $1,350,000, with nearly $800,000 allocated to the Route 8 target area. The funding covered 1,400 linear feet of pavement on Albert, Cook, and Pleasant Streets, along with 1,600 feet of new ADA-compliant sidewalks. The town also utilized approximately $65,000 in Chapter 90 funds to extend the paving through Spring Street.

 

"By combining this, it made for a much more complete project," Cesan said. "All these funds have now been fully expended and this project has been closed out."

 

Selectman Jay Meczywor thanked Cesan for the work, noting the improvements to the downtown area and the dog park on Cook Street.

 

"I have heard a lot of compliments. Great use of the funds," he said.

 

Looking forward, Cesan said future funding could be directed toward shoring up the historic grain elevator. "It is iconic and it may not be a fully insulated building or whatever but is is important," she said.

 

Regarding housing, approximately $260,000 of the grant was used for the housing rehabilitation program. Two projects are complete, four are under construction, and the town has received an extension to finish the work. An additional $120,000 was redirected from general administration toward the rehab efforts, with the remainder of the grant covering program delivery costs.

 

Adams will be eligible for $850,000 in the coming grant cycle. The application is due in March.

 

The Select Board concluded the meeting by ratifying Sarah Kraft as a full-time library aide/cataloger and Christopher Martin as a part-time library aide/cataloger, and read a letter of appreciation thanking the town staff for their service.