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The Conservation Commission handled a number of issues at Thursday's meeting.

Adams ConCom Praise Organic Herbicide Used On Rail Trail

By Jeff SnoonianPrint Story | Email Story
ADAMS, Mass. — Adams Conservation Commission praised the use of an organic herbicide to clean up the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Thursday.
 
The commission discussed the process that resulted in an organic herbicide being applied along the trail to knock down some overgrown vegetation. 
 
"We like to protect the people of the town of Adams," said Commissioner Thomas Robinson regarding the use of a citrus oil-based herbicide.  
 
DPW superintendent Tim Kota and licensed applicator Jim Hall presented the herbicide to the commission at a prior meeting and after some vetting and the mandatory ten working days notice it was approved for use on the trail. Signage was installed and gates along the trail were closed while the application was taking place. 
 
Although the material was approved for use on the rail trail, the commission might still require approval for use in other areas. Commissioner Brian Bishop is open to the idea of speeding up the approval process saying, "If we find out that this material is approved by the powers that be above us then how can we deny it?"
 
The Commission also gave Burt Street resident Robert Tomkiewicz to raise the elevation on a section of his property to remove the need for flood insurance. 
 
Brian Koczela of BEK Associates, the firm assisting Tomkiewicz with his local and FEMA applications, said that "the minor alterations could save my client a couple of thousand dollars by eliminating the need for flood insurance."
 
The commission ruled that the work on Burt Street is not subject to any municipal wetlands ordinance. The ruling gives Tomkiewicz the green light to present his application to FEMA.
 
There will be construction starting soon at 423 West Rd. after the commission gave the OK to start building a new home on the site. Although the permit was already approved in the spring the foundation work for the modular home was delayed slightly as the commission felt the silt fence and runoff/erosion protection was not what was specified on the plans.
 
"They had a drawing dictating what they were supposed to do and they were not doing it," said Robinson.  
 
After a site visit, the commissioners are satisfied that the conditions have now been met and the foundation work will begin shortly.
 
The last piece of business Thursday was an in-house matter regarding the restoration of the commission to its full seven members. The commission has been short two members for several months with the departures of Zach Bantle and Cory Bishop. Local resident Natasha Bordeau has expressed interest in serving thus bringing the membership to six.
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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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