Veteran Selectmen Re-elected in Adams, Cheshire

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — Incumbents Joseph Nowak and Richard Blanchard were re-elected on Monday to the Board of Selectmen as the town held its first election back in the former Memorial School Building.

All candidates on the ballot, whether incumbents or newcomers, were running unopposed in this year's election. Nowak received 335 votes, while Blanchard received 287.

The highest vote-getter on the ballot was Library Trustee Virginia Duval, who received 341 votes.

After the election of Amy Oberlin to the Board of Health, the board will still have one empty seat. Former members Peter Hoyt and Joyce Brewer decided not to run for re-election.

Elected were Myra Wilk as moderator; Kelly Rice as treasurer/tax collector; Lorraine Kalisz as assessor; Sandra Moderski as planner; Aimee Sinopoli as parks commissioner for one year and Mary Ciuk and Sarah Marie Panesecchi as parks commissioners for two years; Karen Kettles to a second seat on the library trustees; James Taylor as cemetery commissioner; Joseph Allard as a member of the Redevelopment Authority and as a member of the McCann School Committee; and John F. Duval and Erin Milne as Adams representatives and Michael Henault as the Cheshire representative to the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee. 

The election had been held at the town garage on Summer Street for more than a decade after the school closed. Renovations in the Memorial Building have been ongoing for several months, as the site will soon be the home of the Adams Council on Aging. COA Director Sarah Fontaine said she spent much of the day giving voters tours of the new facility.

"We had a great morning, and I gave a lot of tours. My throat was actually sore from talking so much," she said during Monday's COA meeting. "And people were excited to see the space and see how we're going to use it."

In Cheshire, voters swapped out a current selectman for a former one, returning Ronald DeAngelis to the board along with Michelle Francesconi in a three-way race for two seats. 
 
Francesconi polled the highest with 171 votes, followed by DeAngelis with 165, leaving incumbent Mark Biagini third with 143.
 
A ballot vote to create a combined town treasurer/tax collector appointed position was affirmed 158-111.
 
Also elected were Nancy Delorey as assessor, Christopher "C.J." Garner to the Board of Health; Stephen LaFogg as water commissioner; Richard Francesconi as cemetery commissioner; Francis Griswold to a five-year seat and E. Richard Scholz to a one-year seat on the Planning Board; C.J. Garner, Timothy Garner and Alison Warner as constables; William D. Craig to the McCann School Committee; and Michael Henault as the Cheshire representative and Erin Milne and John F. Duval as Adams representatives to the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee. 
 
Offices left unfilled are moderator, two-year assessor, and four-year Planning Board member.

 


Tags: election 2022,   town elections,   

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BArT Enrollment Information Session

ADAMS, Mass. —The Berkshire Arts and Technology (BArT) Charter Public School will host an enrollment information session on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at BArT (1 Commercial Street, Adams, MA) for current-year transfers and new students starting in the fall.

Families interested in enrolling at BArT are invited to attend. A Spanish translator will be in attendance.

Pre-registration is welcome but not required. RSVP here (https://forms.gle/YNRr3KYq4RATVSaC7) or contact BART's Enrollment Team (enrollment@bartcharter.org, 413.743.7411 x732).

Apply by Jan. 7 at noon for an immediate seat in grades 6, 9, or 10.
Apply by Feb. 25 to be included in the primary lottery for new students in grades 6 through 10 for the 2025-26 school year.

The enrollment information session will provide an overview of BArT's college preparatory arts and technology curriculum, enrollment process, special education services, and BArT's unique role in Berkshire County.
  • BArT is a free public charter school educating middle and high school students in grades 6-12.
  • BArT offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes and dual enrollment with local colleges.
  • BArT provides free breakfast, lunch, and transportation.
  • BArT has competitive cross country, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball teams.
  • BArT seniors complete a college course and do a work-based learning experience.
Visit  BArT's website for more information.

 

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