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Ever think you'd see that price again? This was taken in Stamford but there are reports some North Adams' gas stations are that low as well. |
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Adams Appoints Search Committee; Anticipates Budget CutsBy Lyndsay DeBord - October 09, 2008
Special to iBerkshires
ADAMS — The Board of Selectmen continued with the process to find a new town administrator before Wednesday night's intergovernmental meeting.
Each selectman recommended a person for the search committee to find a permanent administrator and voted to appoint Aaron Dean, Carol Corrigan, Richard Bury, Town Clerk Paul Hutchinson and Peter West. Their vote is pending counsel's approval that no conflicts of interest exist.
The selectmen have yet to find an unpaid interim administrator that will fill in during the search, and after Haley Meczywor's 35 days as temporary administrator are up. The position is open after the controversial departure of Town Administrator William F. Ketcham.
The board also voted voted to sign an agreement between the town and Time Warner Cable.
Economy Concerns
The state of the economy was a common topic brought up when the board discussed the town budget at the intergovernmental meeting with the Finance, Prudential and Adams-Cheshire Regional School committees attending.
Edward Driscoll of the Finance Committee asked if the board had a contingency plan for the budget, anticipating cuts from the governor.
Last Thursday, Gov. Deval Patrick announced emergency spending cuts because of the "softening local economy." There was a $223 million revenue shortfall for the first quarter of the state's fiscal year.
"We're certainly trying to think about where we can make cuts," said Chairman Joseph C. Solomon, who added that he wants to have more meetings to prepare for a possible decrease in budget.
The planned cuts also have many worried about the effect on schools. Driscoll had also asked the School Committee about its plans regarding the anticipated reduction in budget.
The Selectmen discussed strategy for the town. Selectman Joseph R. Dean Jr. suggested the option of freezing funds for the following year, which the board has previously implemented.
"We're taking a more active approach this year," said Solomon.
When the selectmen were asked further plans, Solomon said the board would have to be reactive at times in response to future variables.
Town meeting member Jeffrey Lefebvre asked the Prudential Committee what steps were being taken to cut spending.
"It's like the goose and the golden egg — guess what, the goose is dead," said Lefebvre.
Edward Capeless and James Wojtaszek, also of the Prudential Committee, addressed his concerns and said efforts are being made to improve efficiencies.
"We're hoping overtime that we may see an increase in that pie that you just referred to," said Wojtaszek.
School Renovation Update
Superintendent of the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District Alfred W. Skrocki said he expects work on the heating system for Plunkett Elementary School will be finished by Oct. 15. He also said recent unanticipated cold nights had caused problems heating some rooms of the school before the changes had been implemented.
For the project, the school is switching from oil to gas heating, upgrading the boilers and replacing the water heater and the heating controls in the building.
"We'll have a much more efficient operation," said Skrocki, who added that, by making the heating system more efficient, the school will be eligible to receive rebates.
The superintendent also said plans for the building projects have been momentarily delayed and described the project as "a frustrating and very slow process." |
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