Free COVID-19 Tests Arriving in North Berkshire

Sarah Fontaine and Barbara Proper came up with a list of several locations that Adams residents in need will be able to obtain a COVID-19 test.

ADAMS, Mass. — The Council on Aging will be distributing the 1,620 COVID-19 tests that the town received from the state, with plans to give them all before the holidays. 

"We got a call from the Board of Health in the town hall, asking if we wanted to take the lead. And, of course, we jumped right in on that. And seniors, as you know, have been very affected by this pandemic," said Council on Aging Director Sarah Fontaine. 

The state delivered the COVID-19 antigen rapid tests on Thursday to the Council on Aging office, located at 3 Hoosac St. In addition to offering tests at the office, Fontaine said tests will be placed at several sites, including senior and low-income housing, Town Hall and the Police and Fire Departments.  

"We've already reached out to the different senior housing sites and the different subsidized housing buildings here in town," she said. "Barb [Proper] and I met yesterday and came up with a preliminary list of who to reach out to first and who to give priority to receive the test." 

The tests will primarily go to those who do not have the financial means to purchase them. 

"Adams received the tests because of the disproportionately low income that we have here in town," Fontaine said. 

North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard said the city has received 4,500 of the free, rapid test kits and will be working with local organizations to distribute them. He anticipated an announcement on where they will be located next week.

"We're going to be working with our local community partners to get them in the hands of those who need them," he said. "We would look at health-care provides and child-care providers and the places we know there will be need ... We're going to have to make those determinations who those groups are and we will anticipate come collaboration." 

The mayor said the amount will likely go fast so it was important to ensure access, equity and collaboration.

In Williamstown, test kits are available at the Harper Center for senior citizens, the Williamstown Housing Authority for housing assistance recipients and the Williamstown Municipal Building during business hours for all others who are eligible. 

Fontaine said many of the seniors the Adams Council on Aging works with could take advantage of the free test program, making the council a sensible fit to distribute. She said the council has plenty of experience with distribution on this scale. 

"We as the COA are used to taking on large projects like this and distributing food and whatever else the big box trucks deliver to us," she said. 

Additionally, Fontaine said the council already has the necessary connections to distribute tests quickly. 

"We have our hands in a lot of different community outreach," she said. "So we took on the charge here, and we're very happy to help get these tests in the hands of the community."

The goal, according to Fontaine, is to distribute as many tests as possible before the holidays. She said this is because holiday gatherings could become potential COVID-19 hotspots if people do not have the means to test beforehand. 

"The state had hoped to have them all distributed before the holidays so that people could test before they meet with family members," she said. "So that's our goal as well, within this week, is to get them out."

Fontaine said this weekend's town scavenger hunt would be a perfect time to start distributing tests. The scavenger hunt will take residents to several proposed test kit sites. 

"It's a free event, so we expect a lot of community members to attend," she said. 

Bernard said the tests are not a permission slip to be less vigilant around people of uncertain vaccination statues but another tool to help residents stay safe at a time when there are holiday social gatherings and a climbing positive rate in the county.

"This particular test has a fairly high accuracy rate but, like any test, is not 100 percent," he said.

The free test kits are for those experiencing financial need; test kits can also can be purchased or through local drug stores or ordered online. Information on the test, including how to take it, can be found here.

Adams and North Adams are among the 102 communities receiving free tests from the state. Other communities in Berkshire County to get tests are Clarksburg, Florida, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Mount Washington, Peru, Pittsfield, Savoy, West Stockbridge and Williamstown.

Adams Home Gutted by Early Morning Fire

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
07:37AM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

The cause of the blaze was undetermined and the state fire marshal was on their way. 

ADAMS, Mass. — An early morning fire on Richmond Lane gutted a single-family home Thursday. 

Update: The cause of the fire was ruled by the fire marshal, as the improper disposal of smoking material Fire Chief John Pansecchi said.  One firefighter was treated for difficulty breathing at the scene. Of the three cats, one was found deceased, another is confirmed to have escaped, and the fate of the third remains unknown.

The structure fire was called in about 4:30 a.m.; three hours later, firefighters were still chasing a smoky stubborn blaze between the first and second floors, Pansecchi said.

 

"It was heavy fire on the first floor, spreading to the interior," said Pansecchi. "It was unknown if anybody was in the house. Started a quick knock down, and got most of fire knocked down pretty quick."

 

The initial call was that someone was still in the home, but the chief said everyone had gotten out and was accounted for. 

 

The interior of the nearly 100-year-old Cape Cod was burned and blackened. Firefighters were able to enter the building and but smoke continued to pour of from under the eaves of the snow-covered roof as well as occasional licks of flame. The second story is listed as a three-quarter, with two dormers in the rear. 

 

"Right now, there's a lot of fire up in the void areas between the second floor, in the attic area about the second floor," Pansecchi said. "We're trying to get it, but it's stubborn. ...

 

"You got to open up all the ceilings and pull it all down. There's a couple hot spots on the outside that keep flaring up there."

 

He couldn't speak to the cause at this point but said the state fire marshal has been called to investigate.