Adams Town Meeting Approves FY2026 Budget with Amendments
 |
ADAMS, Mass. — Town meeting members approved all town meeting articles on the warrant Tuesday night after making some amendments to the operating budget.
Although the 108 town meeting members in attendance ultimately approved the $19,763,563 fiscal year 2026 budget that will raise $14,369,951 through taxation, they did make some changes to the operating budget.
A significant portion of the nearly two hour meeting was devoted to a discussion about changes in salaries for various positions.
Meeting members approved an amended version of Article Four, setting the compensation for elected officials.
Increases to the salaries of the board of assessors, treasurer/collector, and town clerk were set for $81,932, an increase of $1,170 from the initial proposed $80,762.
"This represents a 5 percent increase from FY 2025, and the full-time assessor, treasurer, collector, and town clerk salaries. The 5 percent is constituted of 2 percent cost of living adjustment, which represents $1,561 and 3 percent additional, which represents $2,340," said Finance Chair Justin Duval.
"These positions are only eligible for salary adjustment through town meeting approval. The officials presented a compelling case to the committee, outlining the significant changes in the scope and responsibilities of their rules, along with justification for the proposed increase.""
The approval of the article led to a revision of Article Five, which sets the operating budget.
Additional changes included:
- The Inspection Services line item of $260,356, a decrease of $1,509 from the initially proposed budget, which was taken from the Building Commissioner Salary.
- The Council on Aging (COA) line item of $231,189, a reduction of 1,136 from the initially proposed budget, taken from the COA Director's Salary.
- The Library line item of $273,857, a decrease of $1,136 from the initially proposed budget, taken from the Library Director's Salary.
- The Department of Public Works line item of $1,326,971, a reduction of $1,275 from the initially proposed budget, taken from the Operations Supervisor Salary.
Duval said the decreases in the salaries are not a reflection of the official's performance; rather, an effort to bring salary increases back within policy limits.
There was also an amendment to reduce the Board of Health's Order Enforcement costs by $1,500, due to unused funds.
It was explained that the unused funds were intended to be saved for addressing properties that needed to be cleaned up, especially in hoarding situations, which can cost up to $10,000 or more.
An amendment was made to maintain the $1,500, but failed. One town meeting member highlighted that a request can be made for funds when there is a need.
There were a number of proposed amendments to the article. However, only one passed. The operating budget of $3,086,112 was subsequently approved, following the amendment.
Also approved was the Hoosac Valley Regional School District's assessment to the town for $6,620,400. $662,198 represents the annual payment for the high school building project.
Additionally, the assessment to the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School District (McCann Technical School) was approved for $1,069,566.
An amended version of the citizens' petition for monthly community forums on the Greylock Glen project was approved.
Originally the petition would have required the Selectmen to hold monthly community forums on the Glen project, with a list of topics.
The language was changed to request the monthly forums rather than require them. The petition in its original form likely would not have been approved by the Attorney General as a legislative body can't direct the executive branch of a municipal government.
Unrelated to the warrant, Select Board chair John Duval highlighted recent changes to the Adams Memorial Building sale and renovation.
The town is in the final stages of selling the building to Michael Mackin, who intends to renovate the building and invest several million dollars. Included in this renovation is the construction of 35 apartments.
Following the approval of the sale of the vacant Adams Memorial Building, during a town meeting in December, the town will eventually lose access to the auditorium area.
The town is now including the auditorium area for the construction of the apartments.
"The auditorium is no longer going to be a space that the town will utilize. The auditorium needs a tremendous amount of work. We have this facility, this gym here, which is going to be for our use, where we can continue to have town meetings," Select Board chair John Duval said.
The south end of the building will be redeveloped as a community center and a Council on Aging facility. The building will be leased to the town for free in year one, $17,500 for year two, and $35,000 annually for years 3 through 20.
Duval said, now, the sale just has to close as Mackin has already given the town a $10,000 check, and the town will receive an additional $40,000 upon completion of the closing. They hope to have it sold by this week or next.
The town meeting took a brief recess as a town meeting member needed medical attention. First responders and town meeting members assisted the individual.
Tags: memorial building, town meeting,
