Cheshire to Hold Special Election Monday

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A special town election will take place on Monday to vote on two ballot questions. 

The special election will take place Aug. 4 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Community House. 

Voters will decide whether to allow the town to be exempt from Proposition 2 1/2 to pay for a three-year borrowing of $67,150 for a police cruiser. 

During the June town meeting, voters authorized the purchase of the cruiser. However, it also requires a ballot vote to exclude it from Proposition 2 1/2.

The item was voted on by ballot last year but failed after passing at the annual town meeting. 

According to the minutes for the June 10, 2024, annual town meeting, Police Chief Michael Alibozek explained that the school resource officer would need a vehicle stationed at the school for storage and transportation. 

Voters will also decide whether to approve uncombining the treasurer and collector position, separating them into two part-time positions. 

The proposal was approved after discussion during this year's annual town meeting in June. However, it also has to be adopted by a town ballot vote.

The office has one full-time employee and a part-time employee; the approval authorizes it to be changed to two part-time employees.

Treasurer/Collector Ben Gelb, who started in the position part time in March, explained that he will be working 19 1/2 hours and will be in the office on Tuesdays and Fridays, as needed. His salary will be $40,000 and any balance leftover will go into free cash. 

Gelb said he is confident he will be able to complete his responsibilities within the allotted time because he is doing "half the job." He said in the six other towns he works for, he has been able to offset his salary by increasing revenue and cutting costs. 

More information here. 

Adams District Voters OK All Annual Meeting Articles

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:06AM / Thursday, May 28, 2026

The Prudential Committee and Fire Department officers meet in the fire station on Wednesday night.

ADAMS, Mass. — Officials say the unanimous approval of all warrant articles at the district's annual meeting reaffirms citizen support for the district's efforts and well positions the district to address future challenges faced by many communities. 

 

Nearly 40 voted at Wednesday's meeting, which lasted 20 minutes, approving all items with no discussion, including a $3.6 million budget, a petition to the state for a special legislation retirement age exemption, and a bylaw change making the clerk and treasurer positions appointed.

 

Voters approved the appropriation of $808,295.81 to the general fund for operational expenses. The general fund covers fire services, administration, and street lighting. They also approved the appropriation of $1,721,144.92 to fund the enterprise fund expenses. This fund supports the Water Department. 

 

The budget is anticipated to raise the district tax rate by 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, resulting in a new rate of $1.17, however, the exact amount will not be known until the town determines on property valuations in the fall.

 

"I think it is forward thinking. It's an immense leap forward to try to sustain all of our emergency services that the district, as an umbrella company, holds, whether it be fire or water," Water Superintendent John Barrett said. 

 

"Neither of us can sustain each other without it, and that just everything in [the warrant] summarizes all of our efforts throughout the year to continue sustaining our services."

 

Some articles have been years in the making by former Chief John Pansecchi, who had raised them years prior, Chief Engineer David Lennon said.