Adams Preparing for Fiscal 2026 Review; Nomination Papers Available
ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen will have a preliminary budget in hand for the March 19 meeting as the town prepares a spending plan for fiscal 2026.
"It's not going to be a lot of detail, but you'll see what we think the numbers are going to be, and then we'll start to build that budget," said interim Town Administrator Ken Walto at last week's meeting.
Budget books will be prepared for March 25 with meetings set twice weekly to review department budgets with the anticipation of that process being completed by mid-April. The Finance Committee will receive its books on April 4.
The meetings are open to the public.
"I'm hoping that there's a robust discussion during our budget," said Selectman Joseph Nowak. "I think we've got to look closely at a lot of things that are going on in this community and how money is being spent, and I plan on asking quite a few questions about monetary things in the community."
Town Clerk Haley Meczywor reminded the audience that the annual town election is Monday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Building. Nomination papers are available in the town clerk's office for moderator, two selectmen, a treasurer/collector, assessor, a Board of Health member, two library trustees, a Planning Board member, cemetery commissioner for three years and one year, Housing Authority for five years, Redevelopment Authority for five years, Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District, and two Hoosac Valley Regional School District representatives for three years.
The one-year term on the Cemetery Commission will complete the term of Fred Hobart, who resigned.
There are also at least 10 town meeting member posts up for election in each precinct.
Meczywor encouraged any interested in running to pick up papers soon because "time is ticking, because all nomination papers need to be in the office by March 17, at 5 p.m." Anyone requesting a mail-in ballot should also do it soon because the timeframe is short. Ballots will be sent to the printer after the April 2 withdrawal deadline and take about a week to be returned and proofed, she said.
The new Veterans Service Officer Kurtis Durocher gave a presentation on benefits local, state and federal benefits available to veterans. He is headquartered in North Adams but also serves Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton and Florida. He is available on the second floor of the Visitors Center, Room 9, on Tuesday afternoon or by appointment by calling 413-662-3040.
In other business, the board heard from Christian Feliz of Triple C'z Cannabis Transportation Co. Feliz is currently going through licensing process to become a third-party transport between cannabis manufacturers and retailers. Carl Nickerson of Motah 420, a cannabis production and retail delivery company at 6 Renfrew St., said Feliz will start by using garage space at Motah.
"We were looking to add more licenses to our business, but then we came across Christian at a social equity event. We both are social equity applicants, and he had a desire to get into transportation, which was a license we weren't even looking at," Nickerson told the board. "[Transportation is] definitely needed out here in the Berkshires because of the sparsity between cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and distribution, which are dispensaries."
Feliz said he was unsure how long it would take to get his license.
• The board appointed Elaine Melillo as administrative assistant in the Department of Public Works and Corinne Case as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Walto said there were three applicants for the administrative position and Melillo was the only internal candidate. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and has worked for the town for two years. She replaces Stephanie Melito, who is now assistant town accountant, and will start at the Grade 6, step 7 rate of $23.24 an hour.
• The board also approved entertainment licenses and use requests for the Zerbini Family Circus to use Bowe Field on July 29-30; entertainment licenses for the Adams Street Fair for Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Visitors Center and fireworks at Valley Street Field; and entertainment licenses for Thunderfest on March 22 and the rain date of March 23.
• Walto said the town will advertise for a contractor to deal with brush and stump grinding; the bids are statewide but he would invite local qualified companies to bid.
• The board acknowledged receipt of two Open Meeting complaints from resident Catherine Foster dated Feb. 24 and 26 and referred them to town counsel for response.
Tags: adams_budget, fiscal 2026,
