For the first time in almost 50 years, the town of Adams will not have a St. John serving on the town council. Attorney Edmund R. St. John III has informed town officials that he will be retiring on June 30, marking the end of his 24-year tenure.
In the year 2000, St. John took over the position from his father, Edmund R. St. John Jr. His father, with a remarkable tenure of 25 years, held the esteemed position of town counsel. In addition to this, he also served as a representative and senator in the Legislature.
“It has been a great honor and a genuine pleasure to engage in this endeavor…” “I appreciate this board, I appreciate all the boards that I’ve worked with,” he stated during the recent meeting of the Selectmen. “Despite retiring from this position, I have intentions to continue working.” I am reducing my workload, but I am still actively involved in elderly law, which remains a crucial aspect of my practice. Additionally, I have a continued interest in criminal law and aim to pursue cases in this field as well. The individual expressed their continued enjoyment in engaging in the activity, despite not understanding the reason behind it.
The chair, Christine Hoyt, acknowledged the significant impact of the upcoming change and expressed gratitude for his twenty years of dedicated service.
“I am grateful for the ample time to secure legal representation for the town before July 1,” she stated.
During a recent board meeting, John Duval, a board member, made a lighthearted comment regarding his retirement. He humorously asked, “What if we say no?” In a letter addressed to the Selectmen, St. John expressed his gratitude for the chance to serve the town, highlighting his status as a native and long-term resident.
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In his career, he has provided advice to various boards and collaborated with numerous employees and town administrators. He has served as the town’s representative in a wide range of cases across multiple courts, including District Court, Housing Court, Superior Court, Land Court, Appellate Tax Board, and Appeals Court.
“I am willing to help facilitate the transition to new counsel for the town,” he stated. “Feel free to reach out to me.”
Duval expressed gratitude for the guidance and patience he received during his 12-year tenure as a chair and member of the board. In St. John’s office, one of the first things that catches his attention is a football from an Adams High/Drury game. He finds it to be quite an impressive sight, and it brings a smile to his face. According to St. John, the Adams High team emerged victorious with a resounding 46-0 win over Drury in the 1968 game.
Adams emerged victorious in front of a crowd of 7,000 at Noel Field, securing their inaugural conference championship. Selectman Joseph Nowak recalled that the following year, he, St. John, and St. John’s brother had attended Woodstock. “It was a positive experience,” he stated. “Thank you and may you have the best of luck.”
Town Administrator Jay Green, who is also an attorney, mentioned that he had worked alongside St. John during his earlier days as a prosecutor.
According to Green, there were several staff positions that had retired before he arrived, but St. John was one of the dependable ones.
“He was described as someone who had been present for a significant period of time and had a confident attitude towards helping others. According to him, there was no task that couldn’t be accomplished by simply reaching out and making a phone call. This statement has proven to be accurate,” he stated. Officials also mentioned that his office is conveniently located across the street, making it easier to locate him.
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