Annual Town & City Census Begins Statewide Jan. 1

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ADAMS, Mass. — The New Year is just around the corner, and Massachusetts city and town clerks have been busy getting ready for the annual community census. Massachusetts law requires each municipality to conduct a head-count beginning Jan. 1.

The requested information includes name, residence, date of birth, and occupation. The annual census data is used in updating a community’s voting list, and in obtaining state and federal aid.

Adams Town Clerk Haley Meczywor said each community has its own way of collecting the census material. Adams uses census takers who go door to door, while many municipalities utilize the mail.

If an Adams resident is not at home when the census taker visits, there may be a follow-up telephone call. The Adams census takers will be wearing identification badges.

Meczywor urges all area residents to cooperate with their community’s census efforts.

In Pittsfield, residents must complete the census form mailed to their homes or download a blank form from the city's website.

Census forms can be returned by mail to City of Pittsfield, Registrar of Voters Office, 70 Allen St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 or dropped off at the Registrar of Voters office, the city clerk's office, the Berkshire Athenaeum, or the Senior Center. Question: Registrar of Voters Office at 413-499-9460.

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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settled neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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