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Annual Adams Fire District Election to Decide Treasurer Position

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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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.
 
During the district's special meeting in February, voters overwhelmingly passed making the fire chief and clerk/treasurer appointed positions. 
 
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.

Tags: annual meeting,   election 2026,   fire district,   

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Fire District Seeks Legislative Fix for Mandatory Retirement Rule

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — As the Fire District continues to navigate the state's mandatory retirement age for firefighters, one thing is clear: legislative action is needed.
 
District voters will see an article on its annual meeting warrant authorizing the district to petition the state general court to enact special legislation for firefighters 65 and older to continue service.
 
Whether this authorization will apply to specific individuals or extend across the entire department remains unclear, pending confirmation of liability coverage for firefighters aged 65 and older.
 
In April, the Fire District questioned the impact of the retirement mandate after four Dalton firefighters, including the interim chief, had to retire. 
 
With Chief John Pansecchi set to retire, First Assistant Engineer David Lennon intends to run for the chief position, while Edward Capeless plans to run for Lennon's current role.
 
However, this mandate would also affect Capeless, so the district would need to seek a home-rule bill to waive the mandated retirement. 
 
The board agreed that seeking a waiver is necessary; however, whether it will apply department-wide or be issued on an individual basis remains uncertain.
 
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