Adams Begins Search For New Police Chief

ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen are preparing for a regional search for a new police chief.

On Friday, Police Chief Donald Poirot submitted his decision to retire and on Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen met to discuss how to replace him.

The board will create a search committee including one selectman, a law enforcement professional from outside of the town, and about three others. The Selectmen are expected to appoint the committee members next week.

The committee will narrow the candidates down to three or so finalists, which will be publicly interviewed by the board.

"I think the position is worthy of a regional search," Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said.

The position will be advertised in the entire region but will also be open to those already in the department. However, the board isn't looking to advertise in larger cities because the pay scale wouldn't compete. The position currently pays between $60,000 and $80,000, which is in the bottom third of the state for the position, according to Butler.

"Our pay scale isn't going to pull people from out of the region," Butler said.

Cheshire Town Meeting Oks Budgets, Debates Potential Prop 2 1/2 Override

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:12PM / Monday, June 08, 2026

Moderator Carol Francesconi, left, and Anne Marie Furey were presented flowers in memory of the Rev. William Furey, their brother and husband, respectively. The town report was dedicated to him. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Town meeting on Monday approved all 35 articles on the annual meeting warrant, including a total spending for fiscal 2027 of more than $8.5 million. 

 

Some 77 of the town's more than 2,500 registered voters filled the Cheshire Community House meeting room, debating on a number of articles during the meeting that lasted nearly three hours

 

The town dedicated its annual report to the Rev. William David Furey, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church and more recently Berkshire Union Chapel in Lanesborough. Furey died last year at age 77.

 

His wife, Anne Marie Furey, and his sister, Town Moderator Carol Francesconi, were presented with a bouquet of flowers in tribute to him. 

 

He was an exemplary member of the community who left a lasting impression in each and every life that he touched, said Town Clerk Whitney Flynn. 

 

Voters approved several warrant articles that make up an operating budget of $3,840,314 for fiscal 2027. Of this amount, $1,642,481 is allocated for the general government budget, which was approved after clarification of a few questions.

 

One item was the administrative assistant's salary. Prior to the annual meeting, the town eliminated the executive assistant salary of $54,309 in favor of a part-time administrative assistant salary of $27,155, to reduce costs considering the financial constraint the town is in.