Adams Adds Online Vital Records Ordering

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
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The gray circle shows where the new utility pole will be located.
ADAMS, Mass. — Current and former residents seeking vital records can now order them online. 
 
"If you happen to know somebody that is looking to request their birth certificate, their death certificate, or their marriage certificate, we are now online," Town Clerk Haley Meczywor announced at the Selectmen's meeting last week. "In conjunction with the treasurer's office, we've been able to bring that online."
 
This will make it easier especially for people who no longer live in the area to obtain copies of their certificates. The order form can be access through town clerk's page on the Adams website and here. 
 
Haley cautioned though, if you are not certain Adams has your record, to call the office first. The cost to order copies online is $11 and the clerk's office does not have a refund policy. 
 
Speaking during public comment at the Wednesday's meeting, Haley also gave a shoutout to the Adams Street Fair for taking on the organizing of concerts and family movies this year at the Visitors Center. The Tuesday, Aug. 26, concert is Brave Brothers and the Sept. 2 concert is Eagle Community Band.
 
"I attended the majority of them, and they have all been very nice. I do want to give a shout out to Berkshire Running Center Foundation, who gave the street fair $1,000 from the proceeds from the Pedal & Plod this year," she said. "And I'm just going to give a small plug about the street fair. ... The street fair is going to be Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Adams Visitor Center, and it will be from 2 to 8 p.m.
 
The Selectmen also approved a one-day liquor license for the American Legion to serve at a private event on Bucklin road on Aug. 30 (prior approval had been for an incorrect license) and ratified the hiring of Paul Lipka as a per diem van driver for the Council on Aging. In response to questions, COA Director Sarah Fontaine said the agency has three regular drivers during the week, with a fourth out on medical leave, and three backups -- but two of those are out on medical leave. 
 
"I have feeling, once we build up our staff of drivers, some of the other drivers are going to step back and
let the newer drivers take the lead," she said. "It takes about two to three months to onboard a driver, because the trainings that are offered by the state are typically going to be offered once or twice a month."
 
Lipka was hired at $18.83 an hour, Grade 5, Step 1.
 
Most of the half-hour meeting was taken up by a public hearing on the replacement of a utility pole at the corner of North Summer and East Hoosac Street. Michael Tatro, representing National Grid, explained that a crane would be coming in to do work on St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and that would require shifting power to the other side of the street. 
 
"There's three-phase power that runs down Summer Street ... right at the corner where St. Stan's is it on East Hoosac," he said. "The three-phase path runs up East Hoosac, so we're we need to run that three-phase East Hoosac from the north side." 
 
Tatro said the lines around St. Stan's will be deactivated when the three-phase is switched to the 45-foot pole on the other corner at 4 East Hoosac. "Then we can shut everything down in front of church and make it safe," he said.
 
In response to questions about what would happen afterward, Tatro said the switches would be in place so it could be left as is or moved back, though he hadn't designed that yet. 
 
"We can do that if it's requested," he said, but added that keeping both switches in place were "like plumbing, the more valves you have the easier it is to shut things down."
 
The request was approved; Tatro did not have a date when work would start "but they know that this is kind of a critical project, and the contractors want to get to do their work, so I'm sure they'll get on the schedule within a couple of weeks."

Tags: National Grid,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming Victorian in Adams

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a Victorian home with historic charm? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 32 Summer St.

You can see the house in person this Sunday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an open house.

This 1900 home is 2,497 square feet and has four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The house is filled with natural light showcasing the spacious living areas that have hardwood flooring. The front door opens to the living room that features a fireplace for cozy evenings in the winter.

The kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast or watch while someone cooks. It has an attached dining room, the perfect place for family meals. 

The house has a semi-finished basement with a wet bar included and another room with pantry amenities.

The back yard has semi-views of Mount Greylock and also features a deck space with a retractable awning for meals or a space to enjoy the outside.

The house is on the market for $525,000.

We spoke with Sean Taylor with Moresi Real Estate Partners who is listing the home.

What do you think makes this house stand out in the current market?

This house has been completely renovated with nothing left undone. From tin ceilings to hardwood floors throughout, heat pumps in most rooms, and Trex decking. The second floor has a redone laundry room with lots of closet space. The bathrooms have been updated as well as the kitchen, electrical. The home is just waiting for a new family to come and enjoy the heavy lifting that's already been done.

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