ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Fire District has lifted the boil order on its water system enacted last week after coliform bacteria was found in two water samples.
"We are now operating a temporary chlorination system. Over a period of three days, we collected three rounds of samples from four locations within our distribution system. None of these 12 samples contained any E. coli or total coliform bacteria," according to the lift order released Tuesday morning.
The state Department of Environmental Protection lifted the boil order Tuesday based on further testing.
The Fire District had been informed last Tuesday that a sample collected from a water storage tank the day before tested for E. coli; a second sample from a residence near the storage tank also came up positive for total coliform bacteria. Two repeat tests of the tanks and samples from two other residences did not show any coliform bacteria, nor did a test of the district's well.
However, the district followed procedure in enacting the boil order, cautioning customers to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth and washing dishes.
After this last round of testing came up negative for coliform bacteria — indicating the presence of fecal matter — MassDEP lifted the boil under conditions including continued use of chlorination and the installation of a permanent chlorination with approved controls.
During the past week, businesses have modified their offerings to better comply with the boil order and Berkshire Arts and Technology Public Charter School, which opened Aug. 20, installed water dispensers and asked students to bring a water bottle to school.
For a full public health notice see the posted notice at Adams posting places. For more information, contact the district at 413-743-0978, ext. 13, or jbarrett.afd@albany.twbc.com.
Originally posted on Aug. 23 at 11:20 a.m.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Fire District has instituted a boil order for customers on the water system after coliform bacteria was detected in a water storage tank.
Residents should not drink water from the tap; any tap water should be brought to a roiling boil for at least one minute. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, food preparation, ice making, brushing teeth or washing dishes until further notice.
All ice or tap water collected on or after Monday should be discarded.
The Fire District was informed Tuesday that a sample collected from a water storage tank the day before tested for E. coli; a second sample from a residence near the storage tank also came up positive for total coliform bacteria. Two repeat tests of the tanks and samples from two other residences did not show any coliform bacteria, nor did a test of the district's well.
The Fire District will begin adding chlorine into the well and monitor the well several times a day as well as begin an evaluation of the entire water system. The system is working with the state Department of Environmental Protection to take any further corrective action.
According to the boil order, "We anticipate resolving the problem as soon as possible and will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water or use an alternative source of water."
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Adams Picks Select Board Candidates; Cheshire Nixes Appointed Assessor
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Voters chose incumbent John Duval and newcomer Ann Bartlett for the two open seats on the Selectmen.
Bartlett, a co-owner of the former Red Carpet Diner, garnered the most votes at 791, more than 300 above the other three challengers, and Duval was returned for another three-year term with 685.
Incumbent Howard Rosenberg's decision sparked a five-way race for the two seats. Coming in third was Jerome Socolof with 465, Mitchell Wisniowski with 446 and former board member Donald Sommer with 367.
All results are unofficial.
Wisniowski did win a seat on the Parks Commission and Michael Mach outpolled challenger Timothy Kitchell Jr. 887-407 to stay on the Planning Board.
Frederick Lora appears to have bested Jennifer Solak as Adams representative to the Hoosac Valley Regional School District by 10 votes. The unofficial tally is 814-804, with Lora gaining 674 votes to Solak's 620 in Adams; the voted flipped in Cheshire with Solak winning 184-140 but not enough to overcome the gap. Robert Tetlow Jr., running unopposed, was returned as the Cheshire representative.
Write-ins for Board of Health and Redevelopment Authority, which had no candidates, were still being tallied.
That wasn't all, of course, as she was applauded for her 30 years overseeing the town's elections and vital records. There were plenty of hugs and some tears for a closing out of her long career.
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Listening to Little list off all the specialized components he sells and installs, from public safety lighting to municipal warning lights and radio communication, his technical knowledge and experience shines through.
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Selectmen Chair and 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and Christine Hoyt has been nominated for the April Community Hero of the Month. click for more
Specialty Minerals is expected to pay $299,000 for a discharge of calcium carbonate into the Hoosic River nearly three years ago in a consent decree with the Attorney General's Office. click for more
The Adams Beautification group, which has been quietly sprucing up the town since 2022, hopes to bring in more members of the community during a community cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, April 27. click for more
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School history teacher Alla Chelukhova has been selected as the April Teacher of the Month. click for more