Adams Fire District Election OKs Appointed Posts

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ADAMS, Mass. — After several years of trying, the voting members of the Fire District have approved making the clerk and treasurer appointed positions. 
 
The measure passed 96-69 at the Tuesday's annual election and will take effect as of July 1. 
 
There were no races on the ballot but the election will see a new fire chief with David J. Lennon winning a three-year term. John Pansecchi, who served three terms as chief, has retired. 
 
Taking Lennon's place as first assistant engineer is Edward B. Capeless; second assistant is Dylan Grimes; third assistant Timothy Ziemba; and fourth assistant David A. Lennon. 
 
Incumbent Richard Kleiner won re-election on the Prudential Committee and will be joined by Pansecchi, who will complete the final two years of Thomas Satko's unexpired term. 
 
The Prudential Committee has for years been advocating to make a number of its elected positions appointed as a way to ensure they are filled by qualified, professional candidates. 
 
But while passing several times as a warrant item, they've failed the two-step process at the ballot box. 
 
In February, a special meeting of the district again overwhelming supported making the fire chief and clerk/treasurer appointed positions. 
 
Officials held off on putting the fire chief post on the annual ballot over concerns that voters would be confused by the voting for chief and assistant engineers. They plan to put the chief's post on next year's annual election ballot. 

Tags: appointments,   election 2026,   fire district,   

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Adams Finalizing FY27 Budget Amid Staffing Uncertainty

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Officials continue to finalize fiscal year 2027's budget ahead of the annual town meeting, navigating numerous unknowns stemming from staff vacancies.
 
During a joint Finance Committee and Select Board meeting on Thursday, a budget of $21,458,601 was presented. 
 
More than half of the budget, not including schools, is for personnel, amounting to $8,721,572, while the remaining $4,075,600.19 is for operational costs.  
 
Education accounts for more than a third of the budget, making up 38.16 percent of the total spending plan at $8,018,218 — a 4.27 percent, or $328,341, increase from FY26.
 
Of that, the Hoosac Valley Regional School District's assessments is $6,814,144 and McCann Technical School is $1,204,074. 
 
The budget can be broken out into several categories, with Finance and Technology, and Public Safety being the second-and-third largest. 
 
Finance and Technology accounts for 15.78 percent of the total budget, allocating to $3,205,469, an increase of 9.32 percent or $273,186. While Public Safety makes up 12.11 percent, amounting to $2,494,514, an increase of 5.23 percent or $124,034. 
 
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