Cheshire Fire Department to get Reserve Funding for Repairs

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen plans to give the Fire Department reserve funding to help pay for vehicle repairs. 

Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi briefed the board last week to brief them on needed repairs, including about $8,500 needed to fix Engine 3. The Selectmen and Finance Committee planned on voting on a $9,905 reserve fund transfer for the department Tuesday night, but Finance Committee member John Tremblay suggested waiting until the exact cost of repairs is known to avoid not providing enough. 

"It's been out of service for about three weeks. We only have one engine in the station right now. So we are relying heavily on mutual [aid]," Francesconi said. 

The chief said the department spent $36,433.64 on apparatus repairs this fiscal year, including the repairs for Engine 3. The corrosion issues, he said, seem to be related to the floor of the station and mechanics seem to agree. 

"[The mechanics] all seem to believe that our fire station floor is a big cause of the corrosion issues that we have underneath our apparatus," he said. "They are convinced, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the water or the moisture is soaking up from the floor where those trucks sit and it's causing these corrosion issues." 

Aside from repairs, Francesconi said gear is another significant expense. He said grants have mostly been able to cover equipment costs but hope this can change. 

"What concerns me is we've been living and dying by grants," he said. 

In other business, the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee heard the proposed budgets for the Board of Health, the Fire Department, Adams Ambulance and the Police Department. 

The trash compactor at the transfer station was discussed as part of the Board of Health's budget. Board of Health Chair Christopher Garner said the current compactor is aging quickly.

"The trash compactor is on its way out, it's one of the oldest in the district. So that definitely needs to be replaced," he said. 

• The Selectmen approved the warrant for the annual town election on May 2. 

• The Selectmen approved a reserve fund transfer for the Council on Aging's new dishwasher. Money initially meant to pay for the dishwasher, installed earlier this year, was unintentionally used to pay for something else due to an accounting error. 

• The board approved a one-day liquor license for the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club on April 16.

Cheshire Festival of Trees on View Until Dec. 31

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:19PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Businesses, nonprofits, schools and town departments provided trees for the display that reflected their missions or services. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — There is still time to experience the festive atmosphere of the Community House. 

 

The moment you step into the town offices, you're greeted by the scent of fresh pine wafting from about 70 beautifully decorated trees on display. 

 

The town's festival of trees will be on display Monday through Thursday from 10 to 4, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 8, and Sunday from 10 to 5 until Dec. 31. The building will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. 

 

The idea started four years ago with Department of Public Works Director Corey McGrath's vision to display a decorated, lighted tree in all 13 windows of the Community House, the former Cheshire School.

 

A large part of it was to bring the community back into the building that was a mess five years ago, he said. 

 

The purpose of the building is in its name — a community pillar housing the town offices and Youth Center Inc., and a community hub featuring activities from dancing, craft fairs, wrestling, and more.  

 

Since its establishment, the display has grown into the festival it is today featuring raffles, a Christmas village, nutcrackers, and, of course, trees.