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An image provided to the commission of a failing concrete wall on Pine Street.

Adams Con Comm Approves Emergency Certificate for Damaged Wall

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Conservation Commission has approved an emergency certificate for work on damaged concrete channel walls between 16 and 20 Pine St. 

Waterflow is undercutting the wall, which is at risk of collapse because of the damage. Board member Jeff Randall visited the site and said it was in rough shape. 
 
"The framing walls were in pretty tough shape," he said. "They look like they're all overturning ... It's going to need some work in the future. I don't know whose going to foot the bill for it." 
 
Board Chair James Fassel said the wall likely needs significant work. He noted the area is in a geographical low spot. 
 
"That place, where that water comes out, is the lowest place in town," he said.
 
In other business Thursday, the board continued a certificate of compliance for the town for removal of a damaged culvert pipe at the intersection of Davis and Lime Streets. 
 
Randall was an engineer for the project and had to recuse himself, meaning the board did not have enough members present to approve. He said he will help present the work at the next meeting. 
 
"We completed it in April of this year," Randall said, speaking as the engineer. "I thought it came out pretty good, I sent out a bunch of pictures ... I just wanted to let everybody know that that's well handled until next time."  
 
The board also continued a notice of intent from White Engineering, for B&B Micro Manufacturing for a driveway and parking lot extension. The Planning Board approved site plan approval for the project on Monday. 
 
The applicant requested a continuation to the board's next meeting, which was granted. Randall said there was still work needed before the application could be approved. 
 
Selectman Joseph Nowak brought the concerns of a resident about a damaged retaining wall near Richmond Lane. He also mentioned another damaged wall along East Hoosac Street. 
 
The board said it would look further into both issues. 
 
The board received a notice of intent from the state to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for trail improvements. The application, however, was received too late to be on the meeting agenda. 
 
The board's next meeting is on Oct. 20

Tags: conservation commission,   

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Adams Housing Authority Rededicates McAndrews Community Center

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The new dedication sign includes the names of the first director and board chair of the Housing Authority. 
ADAMS, Mass. — It started with changing out the old box lights in the community room at Columbia Valley.
 
It ended with fully refurbished room along with a refreshed kitchen and ladies room. 
 
Residents of the senior living facility gathered in the new community room on Wednesday to rededicate it to James McAndrew and welcome Housing Secretary Edward Augustus.
 
"This room hadn't been touched since the 1980s," said Adams Housing Authority Executive Director William Schrade, describing it as a place to gather that "wasn't friendly, wasn't smiling." 
 
So first came the box lights, and then in consultation with maintenance chief Matthew Puricelli. Then it was replacing the old leaky windows, and why not take off the old wallpaper and paint, and if you're doing that, might as well pull up the old carpet and put down a new one. 
 
"We thought we were done. I said kitchen really needed to be done because they has a 1970s look," said Schrade. "[Puricelli] took charge of that, too, and got creative and with the tools that were given to him.
 
"He knocked it out and then made the worst mistake and said, 'I've done all this I might as well finish and do the women's bathroom.' I said I think that's a great idea. [Secretary Augustus] is coming in three weeks, so you're gonna have to jump on this."
 
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