ADAMS, Mass. — Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to choose the district's leadership and decide whether the clerk/treasurer position should shift from an elected role to an appointed one.
Although the changes were approved during the meeting, they must also receive voter approval at the ballot. The proposal to make the clerk/treasurer position appointed will be before voters on Tuesday.
Despite also passing at the special meeting, the district's request to change the fire chief position to a paid, full-time, appointed role is not on this ballot.
District officials thought the question would be too confusing as the chief engineer's position is up for election this year. It will be posed to voters on next year's ballot.
If voters approve changing the clerk/treasurer role to an appointed position by the Prudential Committee, going forward the post will be filled based on expertise and individual will be required to have a medical exam and drug and criminal background check.
The appointed officials will report directly to the Prudential Committee. If approved the district bylaws will be amended to align with this change.
The current clerk and treasurer will also hold the office until their term expires or the office is vacated.
If the ballot question fails, the Adams Fire District bylaws will remain the same and the position of the clerk and treasurer shall continue to be elected by district voters for a three-year term.
The only qualification for an elected official is the individual must be a legal voter residing within the district
Also on the ballot are elections for several district positions, all of which are uncontested.
Three-year term for the Prudential Committee: Richard Kleiner
Two-year term for the Prudential Committee: John Pansecchi; remainder of the term ending in 2028
Three-year term for chief engineer: David Lennon
Three-year term for first assistant engineer: Edward Capeless
Three-year term for second assistant engineer: Dylan Grimes
Three-year term for third assistant engineer: Timothy Ziemba
Three-year term for fourth assistant engineer: David Lennon
The annual district meeting will be held Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m.
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Adams District Voters OK All Annual Meeting Articles
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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.
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