Fire at Vacant Adams Mill Under Investigation

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ADAMS, Mass. — Officials from the State Fire Marshal's office reported that the structure fire at the old MacDermid Graphics building remains under investigation.
 
"The investigation is still open, and given the scope of the damage it may take a while," said Jake Wark from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
 
A large fire broke out Wednesday morning around 7:30 a.m. at the old MacDermid Graphics building, drawing a massive response from fire companies across the region, forcing school closures and prompting a large firefighting effort to contain the blaze at the vacant mill.
 
The Adams Fire Department later reported that firefighters fought the blaze for 12 1/2 hours, finally clearing Harmony Street around 6 p.m.
 
Approximately 22 agencies and 100 responders assisted at the scene after a second alarm was requested.
 
No firefighters were injured.
 
During the fire, an alert was sent out cautioning residents with breathing issues to shelter in place due to potentially toxic materials burning in the building. Adams Fire officials reported that the state Hazmat Team did respond.
 
"Our State Hazmat Team responded and continued to monitor the scene and assured us the only readings they were getting were right near the fire," the Adams Fire Department reported.
 
The Adams Fire Department thanked support units from the state and region, as well as local businesses that supplied fuel and food, including Rowley Fuel, Pizza House and Angelina's.

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Adams Select Board Discusses Steps for Appointing Police Chief

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The town could have a new permanent police chief by the start of the new year.
 
On Wednesday, the select board approved a framework for a candidate screening committee and heard a potential timeline for making a decision to appoint the next leader of the 18-officer department.
 
The board heard a report from Chair Jay T. Meczywor, who serves on the panel's Public Safety Subcommittee along with Select Board Vice Chair Ann M. Bartlett.
 
Meczywor said the subcommittee recommended that the board appoint a seven-member panel to screen applicants and recommend three finalists for interviews and selection by the full board.
 
"If we move quickly enough, we could potentially get the screening committee up and moving by early September," Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo told the board. "We would want to get the job posting up right behind it. Potentially, by mid-November, the screening committee could make recommendations to the board.
 
"Potentially, you could be making an appointment by the end of the calendar year."
 
Caccamo reminded the board that interim Police Chief Timothy Sorrell, who joined the force in October 2025 to serve in place of then-Chief K. Scott Kelley, has a contract that runs through Dec. 31 with an option to renew for up to six months.
 
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