ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health officially endorsed the town's Halloween plans but urged residents to remain vigilant over the holiday weekend.
"I was thrilled to hear that a very robust plan because as you know having kids trick or treat is high-risk behavior," Chairman David Rhoads said last week before the unanimous vote. "...This is a super alternative."
The town will utilize Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works and Forest Warden vehicles to deliver candy to kids instead of the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treat that is considered a high-risk activity in regard to the possible transmission of COVID-19.
Gloved and masked town employees will hand out candy as they drive through each precinct.
Town Administrator Jay Green said he hopes the town's plan will deter residents from feeling obligated to participate in trick-or-treat even though the town is discouraging it.
"We have a good-natured community, and there are folks out there of a particular demographic and age that are more susceptible to COVID-19," Green said. "We don't want to put them in a position where they feel compelled out of the goodness of their heart to turn on their porch light."
The town is asking for candy donations that can be dropped off at the Police Department.
Trick-or-treat will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Rhoads did ask residents to adhere to this protocol and not participate in the traditional activity. Although the town has discouraged it, it cannot outright ban it.
He also asked that residents avoid large parties, particularly indoor parties, and stay in town. Some communities in Berkshire County are going forward with traditional trick-or-treat.
"We need to respect other communities and their different protocols and we don't want to put ourselves at risk," Rhoads said.
In other business, Rhoads noted the Hoosac Valley Regional School District will hold a flu clinic for students and staff. Town Hall will also hold one for staff and their families.
Rhoads gave a brief COVID-19 update with really no new news. He said cases remain virtually non-existent.
"I don't like to jinx things but things look fairly rosy here," he said. "...We are actually doing fairly well compared to the rest of the state. The message is don't let down your guard. We are doing well because we are taking care of ourselves."
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Adams Selectmen Recognize Champion Hurricanes
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
The Hurricanes after winning the state championship in Lowell last month.
Selectman Joseph Nowak, who organized the recognition, said, "these Lady 'Canes have really shown what grit really is. And I've known these kids for such a long time, and I've seen them grow, and I've seen them mature.
"And these kids aren't just good athletes. They're talented in a classroom, they're well versed, and they are taking a lot of activities within the school and as a community, we should be very proud of them."
He called each girl by name and her stand up for recognition along with coach Jon Frederick and assistant coaches Kailynne Frederick and Trish Carlo.
"So there's a look at our great team. And you know, it warms my heart that we can share something that's kind of fuzzy and happy," he said, instead of the back and forth the board sometimes gets into.
Chair John Duval said it was a big deal and noted how many other communities would see this on Northern Berkshire Community Television.
"I just think back 44 years now, when I was in a similar situation, when our football team won the championship ... every time that I meet with my fellow teammates since then, that's pretty much all we talk about is our championship team, and we feel pretty proud about that, and it's really was our glory days back then," he said. "So we are tied for life. ...
A cold and rainy Saturday didn't stop hundreds of Berkshire residents from making known their feelings about recent actions by the Trump administration. click for more
Hoosac Valley High School students traded textbooks for virtual reality on Monday, when the Air Force brought its Enhanced Cognitive Human Operations, or ECHO, experience to the school. click for more
The spending plan is up $654,917, or 2.9 percent, over this year. Out-of-district special education tuitions and a 16 percent hike in health insurance are major drivers of the increase.
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Incumbent Joseph J. Nowak will face off against Jay T. Meczywor and Jerome S. Socolof for the two seats up for election on the board. Both seats are for three-year terms.
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