 Adams Firehouse Shored Up While District Seeks OptionsLike many public safety organizations in the Berkshires, the Adams Fire District is looking for ways to address its building's deteriorating condition.  Williamstown Fire District Expects Slightly Lower Tax RateA rise in operating expenses for the Williamstown Fire Department will be offset by lower debt service payments on the new fire station, resulting in a slightly smaller tax bill from the district, officials noted last week. Adams Fire District Budget Up Nearly 10%The Fire District is eyeing a total budget of $3,159,077.78, a 9.67 percent increase from the previous year. Dalton Fire Has Preliminary Budget DiscussionsThe Fire District has started preliminary discussions on its fiscal 2027 budget. Adams Fire District Meeting Approves Full-Time Paid ChiefA special meeting of the Fire District overwhelmingly passed making the fire chief and clerk/treasurer appointed positions on Thursday evening. Adams Fire District Holds Special Meeting ThursdayVoters in the Fire District will decide on six articles for a special district meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the firehouse.  Williamstown Fire District Readying Fiscal 2027 BudgetThe Fire District is projecting a 3.18 percent increase in its operating budget for fiscal year 2027, according to documents shared with the Prudential Committee and its Finance Committee. Adams Fire District Officials Make Case for Full-Time Chief, Appointed ClerkIf approved by the meeting, both decisions would need to then go to a ballot vote – likely this May for the clerk/treasurer question and spring of 2027 for the fire chief decision. Adams Fire District Again Asking for Fire Chief VoteThe Adams Fire District outlined its reasons for a full-time fire chief and is again asking the public to vote. Williamstown Taxpayers to Start Paying for New Fire StationThe main driver is the start of bond payments on the new station nearing completion on Main Street, which accounts for most of an approximately $893,000 increase in the district's levy.  Adams Fire District Voters Reject Full-Time Chief, Appointed PositionsArticle 3 failed 81-85, as did companion questions for appointing the assistant engineers and the clerk/treasurer. They will remain elected positions. Dalton Fire District Approves Tentative BudgetThe Fire District's Prudential Committee approved an anticipated budget of more than three million during its meeting on Wednesday.  Adams Fire District Holding Info Session on Building, ElectionMembers of the Fire District are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on the fire station and on the questions being proposed on the upcoming Fire District meeting. Williamstown Fire District Looks at Potential Budget HikeThe Prudential Committee on Wednesday took a first look at a draft fiscal year 2026 budget that would increase the operating budget by 27 percent from the year that ends on June 30. Dalton Water Commissioners Cited for OML ViolationsThe Board of Water Commissioners has been flagged for violating the Open Meeting Law during a summer meeting. Williamstown Fire Personnel Committee to Interview Six Applicants for Chief PositionWilliamstown Prudential Committee members, from left, Alex Steele, David Moresi, Lindsay Neathawk and Joe Beverly participate in Wednesday's meeting. Dalton and Fire District Set Tax Rates for FY25The Select Board voted to maintain a single tax rate, as it has done historically, during its meeting on Monday night.  Dalton Ambulance Committee Recommends Ambulance PurchaseHowever, in the last couple of weeks, one of these sellers returned to the district to inform it that another agency backed out of a vehicle order last minute, so an ambulance became available early.  Overtime, Wages Caused $165K Deficit in Dalton Fire DistrictAn audit of the Fire District's expenses has found a $165,000 deficit caused by mainly by overtime for firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Dalton Fire District Tries to Clarify Prudential Committee RoleThe agenda posted on Aug. 15 included two items: general business and a discussion of the duties of the Water Commissioners and Prudential Committee.  Dalton Fire District Sees Potential in Former Dalton GarageThe Dalton Garage would open the doors to so many possibilities, members of the Fire District said during a walk-through of the building last week. Dalton Fire District Approves Employee HandbookFire Chief Christian Tobin has been working with district departments to update the district’s employee handbook, which was last updated in 2015. Dalton Water Commissioners Approve Ambulance AgreementsThese agreements allow the Fire Department's advanced life support ambulance to assist other departments' basic life support ambulances.  Dalton Fire District Community Meeting Works to Find Solutions Various ProblemsThe district's new Fire Chief Christian Tobin, established the monthly meeting to get different perspectives from residents to develop solutions to the town's problems and work together to solve them. Incumbents Returned to Williamstown Prudential CommitteeA small crowd of residents convened for the district annual meeting that followed the election. All articles on the meeting warrant passed unanimously. |
