Adams Fire District Approves Two Bylaw Changes in Special Meeting

ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Fire District approved both of the proposed bylaw changes on the warrant at its special meeting on Wednesday. 

Article 1 moves the collection of fire protection and street lighting fees to Town Hall as a separate line item on town tax bills. The proposed changes resulted from a class-action lawsuit last year against the district. A Superior Court judge found that the district did not have the authority to charge for anything other than water, according to an 1873 act by the Legislature. 

Article 2 adds language to Article XIII of the district's bylaws that gives the Prudential Committee authority to declare a state of water shortage. The committee can charge penalties for violations during a shortage that varies based on severity, ranging from a verbal warning to a $300 fine. 

Voters disapproved these and other bylaw amendments at the annual meeting on May 24. The district, according to Treasurer Kathleen Fletcher at a June 6 meeting, decided to exclude the remaining bylaw changes from this meeting's warrant. 

Business Success, Storm Clouds Highlighted at 1Berkshire Annual Meeting

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
06:14AM / Saturday, December 06, 2025

Cheshire native JD Chesloff of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable delivers the keynote address on Thursday.

 

ADAMS, Mass. — One of the county's biggest employers and one of its newest small businesses were touted on Thursday at 1Berkshire's annual meeting at the Adams Theater.

 

The vice president of maritime and strategic systems strategy and business development at General Dynamics shared news of a major expansion at the Pittsfield plant.

 

"We plan to hire over 200 employees in Pittsfield over the next 12 to 14 months," Chris Montferret said. "Business is booming. And of those 200 employees, over 200 will be engineers."

 

Currently, General Dynamics employs more than 1,600 people in Pittsfield, up from a low of 500 in 1997, Montferret said, reminding the 1Berkshire membership of the importance of growth for an anchor like his firm.

 

"As you all know as employers, the multiplier of economic development when you bring a full-time employee in is amazing for the entire community," Montferret said.

 

1Berkshire is dedicated to advancing the local economy by advocating for and serving local businesses while helping attract visitors to the region.

 

The development organization's president and CEO used the annual meeting to talk about 1Berkshire's economic development team, which averages more than 100 consultations per year with local entrepreneurs — over 40 percent with businesses owned by women, members of minority groups or immigrants.