ProAdams announces 2025 Holiday Home Decorating Contest

ADAMS, Mass.—ProAdams has announced the details for the 2025 Holiday Home Decorating Contest.

All residents within the boundaries of the Town of Adams are eligible to participate. Entry registration is available online and must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Once all registrations have been received, a map will be created and posted online Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The contest is for exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior. Judging will be done from outside the residence only and from the street; community members are not to enter the property to view back or side yards.

Three prizes will be awarded: one 1st prize ($100 gift card to Bounti-Fare), one 2nd prize ($50 gift card to Bounti-Fare), and one 3rd prize ($25 gift card to Bounti-Fare). The Community Choice Award winner will also receive a $25 gift card to Bounti-Fare.

The community is encouraged to drive around to view all the entries and cast a vote using the online voting form. Judging will be done from 5-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. The online form will be open until 8 p.m. on December 21 for community members to cast their votes. A judging panel consisting of ProAdams board members will choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. The community will choose the Community Choice winner.

Holiday Home Decorating participants should ensure that all lights, animations, and decorations are in place and activated for the judging periods on all three nights.

Entry is free; there are no costs or fees to apply to participate. ProAdams encourages residents to be creative, festive, fun, and safe this holiday season.

Visit https://forms.gle/4kqPqu1a9wd9cck98 to sign up. Learn more about this event and others on the ProAdams website: ExploreAdams.com.

Adams Town Meeting OKs Budget, Nixes Citizens' Petitions

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
07:30PM / Monday, June 22, 2026

The annual town report was dedicated to retired Police Chief Richard Tarsa, above. 

ADAMS, Mass. — Town meeting members approved 23 of the 25 articles on the annual town meeting warrant. 

 

The gymnasium in the Memorial Building was filled with 104 town meeting members who voted to approve the authorization for a number of spending articles making up a budget of approximately $21 million during a meeting that lasted 50 minutes. 

 

Of that, members approved, Article 5, an operations budget of $10,650,057, of which $8,074,370 is made up of personnel and $2,642,107 for operating expenses. 

 

"This is a level of services budget from one year ago," Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo said. 

 

The amounts budgeted are reflective of what it takes for an organization, pay employees, provide health insurance, and all the ancillary costs, he said. 

 

The town has not yet finalized union contract negotiations with the police and clerical unions and still has open positions. So, there will be a special town meeting in late September or early October to adjust the budget based on the salaries and health insurance.

 

The positions have been conservatively budgeted at previous rates, maintaining each staff member's prior step or grade, as if the roles were filled full time.