Adams Former Community Center Officially Sold

ADAMS, Mass. — The town has officially closed on the sale of 20 East Street, the former community center, to CMV Construction Services, which intends to convert the property into housing. 

Town Administrator Jay Green said the $25,000 sale closed earlier this month, with both parties agreeing on phase one of development, which will renovate the building, creating nine housing units. Town meeting members approved the sale of the property in June.

"Our long effort to dispose of 20 East Street, better known as the Youth Center, former catholic rest home, has been completed," Green said last Wednesday at the board's meeting. "... That concludes our efforts to revitalize that property, it's now in the hands of the private developer." 

CMV, based out of Stephentown, N.Y., plans to invest about $5 million into the property. They expect the estimated $1 million first phase to be complete by 2023, while the $4 million second phase will include another 27 units and a day-care center. 

Now in private ownership, the property will generate tax revenue for the town for the first time since 1977. 

"In those 45 years, it has never been on the tax roll. So that is new growth for the town of Adams," Green said. 

Board Chair John Duval said the town has been trying to move the property for years. 

"As long as I've been on the board, 11 years, we've been trying to sell that property, and we finally have," he said. "And I'm impressed with the new owners, also."

In other business: 

• The board met with Chris Yermian of BT Holdings, who intends to open a cannabis dispensary in town. The company already operates in Michigan. 

A site for the business, Yermian said, has already been found. He is working with Ronnie Ouimet of Adams-based Ronnie's Cycle, who owns a property that was already going to be for a dispensary. 

"Somebody had began construction already, and they, kind of, just left it. So when we came up, we worked with the landlord, he put us in communication with the people who were building out beforehand, and so we just re-hired those people because they're familiar with the project," he said. "So we already have the site established, and it was about 50 percent done and built out. So we're finishing up the project." 

Yeriman said he also has contacts with other local cannabis growers and distributors, such as North Adams' Temescal Wellness. 

• The board approved the appointment of David Rhinemiller from alternate to a full-time member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Rhinemiller is expected to serve as chair, replacing Wayne Piaggi, who stepped down for personal reasons.

Adams Housing Authority Rededicates McAndrews Community Center

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:30PM / Saturday, May 18, 2024

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."