CHESHIRE, Mass. — Contractor Sean Rilla says he has building in his blood and that has him bringing the next generation of fencing work to Berkshire County.

He said his company, Rilla Contracting, prioritizes the customer experience by offering fresh concepts, fair pricing, and open communication.

"I've been building things pretty much my whole life," said Rilla recently, adding he's been in business for about three years and is looking to grow his client base. "My grandparents owned a company in New York. Even when I was a little kid, I was always at job sites, I wasn't building but I was swinging hammers at job sites when I was little.

"I did mechanical engineering for 10 years in design, in the manufacturing side of things, and I've always built stuff on the side but about three years ago, I decided to go on my own." From observing his grandfather's interactions with customers, he identified the biggest takeaway as the solid relationships that were built around honesty, quality work, and respect. Rilla said his fencing work has taken off locally and he would like to become a competitor for more well-known Berkshire County fencers. "I'm a younger contractor coming up, I'm 29, and I just don't feel like there's a whole lot of younger people that are coming up," he said. "And now that the established contracting businesses are older, they're kind of getting out of it and making room for the new guys." Design is a passion for the up-and-coming contractor because of his background in mechanical engineering. He worked in design for a company in Springfield, including four patents, and said he applies that attention to detail to his work. As an example, Rilla highlighted the fences that he has constructed for Victorian homes in North County and how design plays into that process. Many older homes in Adams and North Adams have a lot of character and, with the client's blessing, he has used that as an inspiration for the fence. He has also designed modern fences and many for customers with dogs. A popular signature series with a higher price point is also available. Rilla said he likes to think outside of the box when it comes to his craft. "A lot of times with custom fences, people see an idea that they see on the internet and they send it to me, and with my experience in mechanical engineering and design, I can create something," he said. The difference between fencing materials depends on a person's comfort level with upkeep. Vinyl, for example, will essentially last a lifetime with occasional washes whereas wood needs to be stained or painted and may require replacements to problem areas like posts. Including himself, Rilla's company has three workers and he would eventually like to expand that number while keeping the same quality of work. "I'd love to get to a point where I have two or three crews rolling out but I would not like to get to the point where I have so much work that I can't give each and every job my 100 percent attention and attention to detail," he said. "Because that's where I really sell myself it's giving a customer exactly what they want." Rilla works out of Cheshire but services all of Berkshire County. With the warm season approaching, he is starting to get an influx of quotes and welcomes more. For inquiries, Rilla can be reached at 413-358-3304 or by email at rillacontracting@gmail.com.

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ADAMS, Mass. — Adams-based Shine Wire has been acquired by ComSonics Product Solutions. 

Former Shine Wire owner Greg Shine and John Tayloe, vice president of manufacturing solutions at ComSonics, informed the Board of Selectmen of the merger on Wednesday. Shine, which has operated in Adams since 1989, has about 45 employees and plans to add more in the future. 

The electronic contract manufacturer specializes in cable assemblies, wire harnessing, and electro-mechanical assemblies for use in testing, engineering, medical, aeronautics, military and Homeland Security. It operates out of a  30,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the Adams Corporate Park.

Shine said the business will remain in town and he will continue to be a part of it after the acquisition. 

"What really solidified the deal was, when I met with Brett Harrison the CEO and John [Tayloe], was their commitment to the town of Adams, to Berkshire County and, most importantly, to the Shine employees," he said. 

Tayloe said ComSonics felt Shine was a good fit for acquisition. He said it would allow the Virginia-based company to expand into Massachusetts. 

"Great group of people, I've really really enjoyed getting to know them," Tayloe said about SHINE's employees. "I have a lot of fun with those folks. They are hardworking, they are very skilled people, it's what they do. They take what they do very, very seriously." 

ComSonics, Tayloe said, is 100 percent employee-owned and has been since 1985. Shine said the employee ownership aspect of the business was one of the main reasons he decided to sell to ComSonics over other options. 

"So all of the former Shine employees are now our employee-owners," he said. "It's something I could never give the employees. I couldn't give them ownership the way it was structured prior. But now, every single employee is an owner, anybody new would be an owner." 

ComSonics was incorporated in 1972 originally as an audio design and installation company and has one of the oldest employee stock ownership plans, or ESOP. 

In other business, Hank Art, chair of the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership, presented the draft 10-year plan to the board. 

The partnership has been constructing a revised plan for several months and is looking for community feedback. Those interested can find the plan on the  group's website , where community members can leave feedback. 

"We decided we needed to get more feedback from the public and municipalities before we move on rushing into this. We wanted to do it right rather than do it fast ... because this plan is quite different than the original one that was done back in 2015," Art said, noting the partnership intends to approve a new plan in September or October. 

Art said the partnership is  always searching for potential funding from local, state and federal agencies . The group has not received any annual funds from either the state or federal government. 

The board approved adding another warrant to the annual town meeting, which would rescind a garbage disposal requirement bylaw. The bylaw stipulates any new buildings in town have a garbage disposal. 

The board approved the FY23 Transfer Station fees, which will remain the same as last year.

The board ratified the contract of Department of Public Works skilled laborer Anthony Fiore. Fiore will begin at the position on June 2. 

Brodie Lanoue and Lillian Boudreau have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the Hoosac Valley High School class of 2022. click for more

Mount Greylock senior Jack Cangelosi threw a no-hitter on Wednesday in the Western Massachusetts regional final. click for more

The Hoosac Valley softball team Tuesday beat Turners Falls in the Western Massachusetts Class D tournament final. click for more

The Taconic baseball team Monday beat Pittsfield at Wahconah Park to win the Western Massachusetts Class B title. click for more

The Board of Selectmen held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restaurant, the site of the town's former firehouse and ambulance bay, on Thursday. Restaurant co-owner and Chef Xavier Jones thanked his fellow owner Warren Dews Jr. and everyone who helped make the opening possible. click for more

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