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The Jones Block is envisioned by town officials as a cornerstone to downtown revitalization.

Work Resumes On Adams' Jones Block

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Photos courtesy of Polonia Restoration.
Recent work has included insulation, planning and inspections.
ADAMS, Mass. — Work on the Jones Block has resumed after town officials recently voiced concern over its progress.

According to Director of Community Development Donna Cesan, the developer sent an email to the town outlining a schedule for future work.

The outline, which is expected to be updated in two weeks, calls for the upstairs apartment to be completed by the end of May and the entire building to be renovated by the end of the year.

"He's really focused on trying to finish it up," Cesan said on Friday. "We conveyed to him a number of times that we want him to finish it."

Town officials were concerned with the project because work had stopped and the town was losing contact with developer Gerry Sanchez, president of Polonia Restoration.

Two years ago, the town used a $1 million grant for exterior work on the Park Street building, envisioning the historic building would be vital to its downtown revitalization plans — leaving some with a fear that the investment had gone to waste.

However, the Monday email has changed things in Town Hall. Cesan said the delays were caused partially in regard to finances. The local bank the developer was using had new personnel working on the project, she said, and they were sorting out finances with him.

"I've heard there has been a lot of talk with the bank," Cesan said.

In Monday's email to the town, Sanchez said he was scheduled to meet with the town building inspector to approve insulation and a vapor barrier so wallboard could be installed in the apartment.

He also outlined a series of interior work that has been completed since the last time he met with town officials. Sanchez was in a conference on Friday and could not elaborate on the work.

The completed work includes plumbing, insulation and vapor barriers in all of the first floor and preparation for the completion of the apartment.

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United Counseling Service Wins Wellness Award

BENNINGTON, Vt. — United Counseling Service is a winner of the 2024 Vermont Governor's Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award, presented by the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health. 
 
This award is presented each year to organizations across the state that make employee wellness a priority.
 
The UCS Worksite Wellness Committee engaged staff in several worksite wellness initiatives this year, including a Community Supported Agriculture program in partnership with Full Well Farm in Adams, Mass., chair massages for staff, a potluck soup event for staff, quarterly lunches at rotating office locations, and facilitating ergonomic updates for workspaces following recent ergonomic assessments.
 
"We are honored to receive the Excellence in Worksite Wellness Gold Level Award," said Amy Fela, director of operations and co-chair of the Wellness Committee. "This achievement highlights our ongoing dedication to creating a supportive and healthy work environment."
 
UCS is a private, non-profit community mental health center that has been a part of Bennington County's integrated health-care system since 1958. The organization has been designated as a Center of Excellence by Vermont Care Partners.
 
Learn more about the Department of Health's Worksite Wellness Awards here. Learn more about United Counseling Service here.
 
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