Adams Select Board Continues Dog Hearing, Approves Bridge Detour Route

ADAMS -- February 18, 2026, Adams Select Board continues nuisance dog hearing and approves emergency truck detour after state bridge downgrade. The board voted unanimously at its February 18 meeting to continue a public hearing on two dogs, Mason and Penny, owned by Jonathan Moffett of 14 Grand View Terrace, after hearing sworn testimony from complainant Brianna Shepard, who described a November 25 attack on her dog and sister during a neighborhood walk; the hearing will resume March 4 when Moffett, who contacted the town only the day of the meeting, will have an opportunity to appear. Acting Chief Tim Serell presented the Animal Control Officer's recommendation that the dogs be muzzled and leashed at all times in public if deemed a nuisance. In a 3-1 vote, the board approved temporary truck detour routes around the state-downgraded Center Street bridge, rerouting heavy commercial vehicles through Myrtle, Pleasant, Depot, and Columbia streets northbound and via Lime and North Summer streets southbound, with parking eliminated on the west side of Summer Street from Orchard to Spring Street. The board also voted unanimously to recommend a $65,000 reserve fund transfer to the Finance Committee for a town hall rooftop HVAC replacement, and ratified two new hires: mechanic Raphael Bedini at $60,570 and Community Development Administrative Assistant Andrew Kerwood at $37,500.