ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health wrapped up final edits on new tobacco regulations last week and inched closer to a public hearing.
Members answered some lingering questions Wednesday in regard to the proposed tobacco sales permit and hope to vote on a final draft next month.
"Thank you for going through this with a fine-toothed comb," board member David Rhoads said. "It looks good."
Some months ago, the Board of Health agreed to implement a new regulation that would limit the amount of tobacco sales permits allowed in town. The new regulation would not affect those already selling tobacco.
Earlier this month, there were two issues that caused the board pause -- one being which certification programs would be used for sales clerks.
Rhoads originally wanted these certifications to be exclusively conducted by Tri-Town Health's Tobacco Awareness Program (TAP) but the rest of the board felt this was too restrictive.
Wednesday, Rhoads said not all organizations provide physical certifications like TAP, which was a concern of his.
"I want something that can be put in a book that we can go see," he said. "A piece of paper that said so and so passed the test and is good for two years."
The rest of the board members agreed that they, too, would like a physical certification but Peter Hoyt said he was still hesitant to limit all certification classes to TAP.
"I agree that it is a great program but I find it hard to believe that other programs will not offer certifications," he said.
The members came to a compromise and decided the board would only allow programs that it approved, giving them more control over standards but not limiting them to one program.
The board also had issues with the state fining structure and feared they were too harsh. It was believed that whoever violates the regulation would automatically be hit with a $1,000 fine.
Town Counsel Edmund St. John III sat in on the meeting and said the town can build in a "ladder of punishment" so the fines are not as harsh for lesser infractions or for employees.
Hoyt said he would run a final draft by St. John and have it ready for a vote next meeting.
The Board of Health would then have to schedule a public hearing.
In other business, the board approved an emergency certification to clear out a drainage ditch and culvert at the Old Stone Mill to solve a cellar flooding issue.
"They need to do something sooner rather than later," Rhoads said.
Conservation Commission Chairman James Fassell asked for the board's blessing on its own order to give the owners of the Old Stone Mill 30 days to remediate cellar flooding.
He said because of the emergency nature of the situation, the Conservation Commission agreed to waive the notice of intent process and allow the owners to remove silt from the culvert and drainage ditch to allow the river to flow freely again.
Rhoads said he visited the site and noted there is a river that flows through the basement that seems to be backed up.
"There is always a concern putting something in the river that does not belong but the water under that building clearly has been going in that river for ages," he said.
He said there were clear health issues that needed to be addressed.
"Standing water is not a good thing," he said. "It breeds insects and could promote mold growth."
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Cheshire Gears Up for 2nd Annual Summer Festival
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) is set to host the 2nd annual Cheshire Summer Festival this coming July 27.
"With this being our 10th year of block parties / festivals, we've seen how impactful bringing folks together for a good time can be," CCA President John Tremblay said in an email exchange. "Witnessing lots of smiling, happy people is always a testament to the value."
Scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cheshire Community House Grounds, the festival offers an array of entertainment for all ages. Headlining the festival is Whiskey City and there will also be a performance by It's Magic during intermission.
There will also be activities for children like face painting and balloon tying.
For those seeking friendly competition, the Cheshire Cornhole Cup also returns.
Ozzie's Food Truck and Diane's Twist Ice Cream will offer food snacks for purchase throughout the event. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
The Selectmen on Wednesday voted to enter negotiations with an Agawam catering company to operate food service at the Greylock Glen's outdoor center. click for more
More than three dozen members of the Kolis family stretching across at least three generations on Saturday celebrated 100 years in the home their dziadziu and babci built. click for more
Gratitude was the theme of Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's 38th annual meeting on Friday morning but there was a heavy dose of collaboration as well. click for more
Partners CJ Garner and Marcus Lyon hope locals and visitors alike will feel at home here, where their take on "modern American comfort food" has already found a solid base of regulars in its five weeks of operation. click for more
Firefighters were working in difficult conditions — hot muggy weather in the 90s and a torrential rainstorm that turned Commercial Street into a river right after the call came in.
click for more