Adams Fire District Annual Meeting Wednesday
ADAMS, Mass. — Voters at the Fire District's annual meeting will decide on 21 articles, including funding to address fire station's deteriorating condition, a request for a state exemption allowing firefighters over age 65 to serve, and an approximate $3.6 million budget for fiscal 2027.
The meeting is on Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m. in the fire station located at 3 Colombia St.
The proposed 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.
The first three articles elect a moderator and present the Prudential and Special Committee reports.
The district is requesting, in Article 5, the appropriation of $808,295.81 to the general fund for operational expenses. The general fund covers fire services, administration, and street lighting.
It is also requesting, in Article 6, the appropriation of $1,721,144.92 to fund the enterprise fund expenses. This fund 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.
The district's 65-year-old firehouse, which houses both the fire station and Water Department, faces myriad issues that officials hope to address with two articles on the warrant — Articles 11 and 12.
Article 11 is requesting voters appropriate $44,000 from available treasury funds to purchase the shoring support system that is holding up the building.
Renting the system costs about $2,000 per month, and with long-term solutions — such as repairing the deteriorating building or relocating departments — expected to take several years, officials believe purchasing it may be the more feasible option.
Although the system holds up the structure, it also exacerbates another issue — space.
The Water Department's trailers and equipment had to be relocated to several sites around town, as the system now occupies more than half of the space where they were previously stored.
Article 12, requests the appropriation of $8,000 to fund a space needs assessment to evaluate the space needed to support all services provided by the district.
The district is also seeking authorization, in Article 19, to petition the state general court to enact special legislation for firefighters 65 and older to continue service, as a result of the state's retirement mandate.
In April, the Fire District questioned the impact of the retirement mandate after four Dalton firefighters, including the interim chief, had to retire.
If enforced, it would have immediately forced out five of the company's members, a trend that would continue upwards over the course of five to seven years.
The district is also requesting the allocation of $82,500 for the compensation and benefits of one full-time firefighter in Article 8.
The district is requesting $203,500 under Article 10 to fund the Glen Street Pumping Station Rehabilitation.
If approved, water rate revenue will cover costs for a tank mixer, site excavation for electrical upgrades, installation of two concrete pads, removal of phone lines, and installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) communication system at the Glen Street Pump Station.
Following the approval of making the clerk and treasurer positions appointed roles, which passed at the annual election by a 96-69 vote and will take effect July 1, the district is now seeking approval to amend its bylaws to reflect the change outlined in Article 18.
Article 15 seeks authorization for the Prudential Committee to apply for and accept up to $15,500 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
If awarded, the district hopes to hire two full-time firefighters, with a portion of their compensation and benefits covered by the grant while the district funds the remaining balance, this year $53,750. The district requests this appropriation in Article 16.
The grant carries a three-year commitment, requiring annual appropriations to be approved each year to cover the district's share of the costs throughout the term of the grant.
Article 17 requests the authorization to allow the Prudential Committee to apply for and accept funding from other miscellaneous grants throughout fiscal year.
Other funding articles include the appropriation of:
- $2,000 for the town's Support Fee, Article 7
- $10,000 in Article 9, for the Cheshire Pilot Tax Assessment, which will allow water rate revenue to pay the taxes assessed by the town of Cheshire on the district's land in Cheshire.
- $7,165.90 in Article 20, for fiscal year 2026 Cheshire Pilot Tax Assessment.
- $40,000 from free cash for unexpected operational expenses during the fiscal year, giving the Prudential Committee greater flexibility and avoiding the need for a costly special town meeting.
- In Article 4, the district is requesting a fixed salary and compensation of the following elected officers: Prudential Committee: Chair for $2,000, Vice-Chair for $1,500, and member for $1,300, Chief Engineer for $40,000, and Clerk and Treasurer for $2,235
Tags: annual meeting, fire district, fiscal 2027,
