ADAMS, Mass. — The Fire District is eyeing a total budget of $3,159,077.78, a 9.67 percent increase from the previous year. 

 

The proposed budget would raise the district tax rate by 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, resulting in a new rate of $1.17.

 

The most significant change involves how the district allocates funds between the general fund —covering fire services, administration, and street lighting — and the enterprise fund, which supports the Water Department.

 

This year, the district is planning for a split of 40 percent for the general fund and 60 percent for the enterprise fund, compared to last year's 30-70 split. 

 

Contributing to the increase in the total budget are higher health insurance costs, which rose by about $27,636, and an increase in the retirement assessment of $29,946. 

 

The district is proposing a general fund budget of $1,214,432.86 for fiscal year 2027, which makes up the administration department salaries and expenses, employee benefits and insurance, Fire Department salaries and expenses, maturing debt, and street lighting. 

 

Fire Department compensation is one of the main drivers to the increases in the general fund, including the chief's salary, a rise of $10,010.51, the department coverage compensation increase of $35,050, a request for a full-time firefighter for $82,500 and a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant 25 percent contribution of $53,534.26.

 

The district is proposing an enterprise fund budget of $1,944,644.92, which had a smaller increase from last fiscal year of 0.07 percent. 

 

Voters can also expect several warrant articles requesting funds from free cash and enterprise retained earnings; the district has $544,348 in free cash and a retained earnings balance of $496,288. 

 

Warrants for allocations from free cash include $40,000 for the reserve fund and $8,000 for a space needs assessment. 

 

There is also a request for $44,000 from free cash to fund the purchase of the station's shoring support system.

 

The deteriorating condition of the fire station and Water Department building required the district to install shoring to stabilize the structure, which costs about $2,000 a month. 

 

Addressing the building's deteriorating condition or relocating the departments will take several years, so purchasing the $44,000 shoring system may be more feasible. There will be an article on the condition of the building in the near future. 

 

There is also a warrant requesting allocations from retained earnings of $10,000 for an inspection of the Bassett Brook Dam. The 59-year-old dam located on Reservoir Road is considered a "significant" hazard according to the state Office of Dam Safety. This requires an inspection every five years.