NOTICES
ADAMS FIRE DISTRICT INFORMATIONAL MEETING
To be held Monday, November 17, 2025 at 4:00 pm at the Adams Fire District Fire Station, 3 Columbia Street, Adams, MA.
To discuss the following:
The Prudential Committee's recommendation for the Clerk/Treasurer to be changed from an elected to appointed position and their recommendation for the Fire Chief Engineer to be change from part-time to full-time.
The Prudential Committee encourages the public to attend the meeting.
Please see our Facebook Event to let us know if you will attend.
October 29, 2025
To discuss the following:
The Prudential Committee's recommendation for the Clerk/Treasurer to be changed from an elected to appointed position and their recommendation for the Fire Chief Engineer to be change from part-time to full-time.
The Prudential Committee encourages the public to attend the meeting.
Please see our Facebook Event to let us know if you will attend.
October 29, 2025
Laborer/Operator Job Posting
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Adams Fire District Water Department is seeking applications for the position of Laborer/Operator. The successful applicant will have the physical ability and agility to sufficiently complete the daily assignments required to maintain the Fire District infrastructure and Public Water Supply on a scheduled 40-hour a week, on call weekend rotation plus emergency basis.
SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Preferred experience in one or all fields of Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Pipefitting, Plumbing, Construction, and Electrical.
EDUCATION LEVEL:
High School or Equivalent
WAGE RATE:
Starting pay $27.23 per hour commensurate with experience.
Click here for a job description or application. Information may be obtained at the Adams Fire District Office located on 3 Columbia Street, Adams. Applications and resumes should be returned to the District's Office or by email to
John Barrett at [email protected].
The Adams Fire District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
October 28, 2025
The Adams Fire District Water Department is seeking applications for the position of Laborer/Operator. The successful applicant will have the physical ability and agility to sufficiently complete the daily assignments required to maintain the Fire District infrastructure and Public Water Supply on a scheduled 40-hour a week, on call weekend rotation plus emergency basis.
SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:
- Must possess a Class D Driver's License.
- Class I Water Distribution License preferred or obtain license within two (2) years.
- Class I Water Treatment License preferred or obtain license within two (2) years.
- Backflow Prevention Device Testing License or obtain license within eighteen (18) months.
- Cross-Connection Surveyor License or obtain license within eighteen (18) months.
- Hoisting Engineer's License or obtain license within six (6) months.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Preferred experience in one or all fields of Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Pipefitting, Plumbing, Construction, and Electrical.
EDUCATION LEVEL:
High School or Equivalent
WAGE RATE:
Starting pay $27.23 per hour commensurate with experience.
Click here for a job description or application. Information may be obtained at the Adams Fire District Office located on 3 Columbia Street, Adams. Applications and resumes should be returned to the District's Office or by email to
John Barrett at [email protected].
The Adams Fire District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
October 28, 2025
UPDATE State Declaration
Level 2 (Significant Drought) Implementation
UPDATED October 16, 2025
Restrictions have been in effect since September 10, 2025 and remain in effect until further notice.
Click here for tips on how to save water.
Click here for current map of drought conditions.
Water Use Restrictions for Residents and Businesses:
A. Nonessential outdoor water use is limited to hand-held hoses or watering cans only, to be used one day a week on Monday before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm.
B. Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers and for larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.
Nonessential outdoor water use is defined as:
1. Watering lawns, plants, trees, and other vegetation, via sprinklers or irrigation system. Hand-watering is allowed only during the hours in item A above.
2. Washing vehicles at any place other than a car wash (business). No fundraising car washes are allowed at this time.
3. Filling or refilling swimming pools.
4. Washing of driveways, walks, patios, sidewalks, and gutters.
September 10, 2025
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Restrictions have been in effect since September 10, 2025 and remain in effect until further notice.
Click here for tips on how to save water.
Click here for current map of drought conditions.
Water Use Restrictions for Residents and Businesses:
A. Nonessential outdoor water use is limited to hand-held hoses or watering cans only, to be used one day a week on Monday before 9:00 am and after 5:00 pm.
B. Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers and for larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.
Nonessential outdoor water use is defined as:
1. Watering lawns, plants, trees, and other vegetation, via sprinklers or irrigation system. Hand-watering is allowed only during the hours in item A above.
2. Washing vehicles at any place other than a car wash (business). No fundraising car washes are allowed at this time.
3. Filling or refilling swimming pools.
4. Washing of driveways, walks, patios, sidewalks, and gutters.
September 10, 2025
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Are you a trained Firefighter? Join our team today!
Put your skills to work where they are needed most.
Read job description here.
Apply now and make a difference-Click here.
Email completed application to John Pansecchi at [email protected]
Read job description here.
Apply now and make a difference-Click here.
Email completed application to John Pansecchi at [email protected]
August 26, 2025
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Why Are We Changing the Colors of Our Fire Hydrants?
You might have noticed that some of the fire hydrants in our town are getting a fresh coat of paint. The reason behind this change is simple: to improve emergency response and ensure the safety of our community.
Here’s how it works:
1. Adams’ Unique Geography and Water Pressure
Adams is a town with mountainous terrain and varying elevations, which affects our water pressure. This means that the water flow in different areas of town can vary greatly. To manage this, our water distribution system is divided into 7 different pressure zones—each with its own water supply and pressure control systems. We also have 366 fire hydrants spread across more than 50 miles of piping.
2. Why Hydrant Color Matters
In the past, the color of a hydrant indicated the size of the water main it was connected to. But that wasn’t enough to accurately determine how much water could be available in an emergency. Water flow and pressure depend on more than just pipe size—it also depends on elevation and other factors.
3. The Power of Data: Hydraulic Modeling
To improve our fire protection and ensure that we’re always able to provide safe water pressure for residents, we’ve implemented a hydraulic model. This is a digital tool that helps us simulate how water flows through our system, accounting for factors like elevation and pressure zones.
Using this model, we can better understand what each hydrant is capable of delivering, while still making sure that all of our residents receive safe, potable water. This helps protect both the water supply and provides firefighters with accurate, real-time data during emergencies.
4. NFPA Color Code: What It Means for Firefighters
This year, we’re painting hydrant caps and bonnets according to a national standard called the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Color Code. This code helps firefighters quickly assess the water flow available at a hydrant, even if they are from out of town. The colors indicate the gallons per minute (GPM) a hydrant can supply, which can be crucial when seconds count.
5. The Bigger Picture: Better Fire Protection for All
Not only does the hydraulic model improve emergency response, but it also helps manage our ISO rating—the rating that impacts homeowners' fire insurance rates. A better ISO rating can lead to lower premiums for homeowners, benefiting everyone in the community.
September 18, 2025
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Here’s how it works:
1. Adams’ Unique Geography and Water Pressure
Adams is a town with mountainous terrain and varying elevations, which affects our water pressure. This means that the water flow in different areas of town can vary greatly. To manage this, our water distribution system is divided into 7 different pressure zones—each with its own water supply and pressure control systems. We also have 366 fire hydrants spread across more than 50 miles of piping.
2. Why Hydrant Color Matters
In the past, the color of a hydrant indicated the size of the water main it was connected to. But that wasn’t enough to accurately determine how much water could be available in an emergency. Water flow and pressure depend on more than just pipe size—it also depends on elevation and other factors.
3. The Power of Data: Hydraulic Modeling
To improve our fire protection and ensure that we’re always able to provide safe water pressure for residents, we’ve implemented a hydraulic model. This is a digital tool that helps us simulate how water flows through our system, accounting for factors like elevation and pressure zones.
Using this model, we can better understand what each hydrant is capable of delivering, while still making sure that all of our residents receive safe, potable water. This helps protect both the water supply and provides firefighters with accurate, real-time data during emergencies.
4. NFPA Color Code: What It Means for Firefighters
This year, we’re painting hydrant caps and bonnets according to a national standard called the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Color Code. This code helps firefighters quickly assess the water flow available at a hydrant, even if they are from out of town. The colors indicate the gallons per minute (GPM) a hydrant can supply, which can be crucial when seconds count.
- Hydrant Barrels: Yellow – These are municipal hydrants, visible at night and easy for firefighters to locate.
- Private Hydrants: Red – These are privately owned hydrants, typically maintained by private entities.
5. The Bigger Picture: Better Fire Protection for All
Not only does the hydraulic model improve emergency response, but it also helps manage our ISO rating—the rating that impacts homeowners' fire insurance rates. A better ISO rating can lead to lower premiums for homeowners, benefiting everyone in the community.
September 18, 2025
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Annual Drinking Water
Quality Report
The Adams Fire District is committed to providing our customers with the best water quality available. To view our Annual Drinking Water Quality Report and learn more about your water, please click here.
Hard copies are available in our office or upon request by calling 743-0978.
May 2, 2025
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Hard copies are available in our office or upon request by calling 743-0978.
May 2, 2025
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Mandated Service Line Inventory
What is a Water Service Line?
Water service lines are pipes that carry water from our mains, located in the streets, to individual homes and buildings. Service lines can be made of pipe material consisting of copper, cast iron, ductile iron, lead, or galvanized steel.
What Our Customers Need to Know:
In 2021, the US EPA published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule that required all Public Water Systems to complete an inventory of service lines connected to distribution systems.
The purpose of the inventory is to address lead concentrations in drinking water, by developing an inventory to identify the location of lead service lines, and Galvanized Requiring Replacement.
What are the steps we have completed?
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Water service lines are pipes that carry water from our mains, located in the streets, to individual homes and buildings. Service lines can be made of pipe material consisting of copper, cast iron, ductile iron, lead, or galvanized steel.
What Our Customers Need to Know:
In 2021, the US EPA published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule that required all Public Water Systems to complete an inventory of service lines connected to distribution systems.
The purpose of the inventory is to address lead concentrations in drinking water, by developing an inventory to identify the location of lead service lines, and Galvanized Requiring Replacement.
- We have no record of Lead Service Lines in Adams.
- Galvanized Requiring Replacement: Any galvanized service line that is or has ever been downstream of a lead service line, or of an unknown material service line. These lines are included to be replaced because they have demonstrated the ability to absorb lead from a lead service line and release it in the future.
- The EPA has required galvanized steel lines to be defined as Galvanized Requiring Replacement “ if the water system is unable to demonstrate that the galvanized service line was never downstream of a lead service line, it must presume there was an upstream lead service line”.
- The District's documentation of privately owned customer services does not date back since our incorporation in 1873, so we cannot meet the documentation requirement of EPA to proclaim service lines as “Galvanized Steel”, however, we are now required to list them as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement”.
- 10% of service lines within the District are Galvanized Requiring Replacement. Homeowners will be notified if applicable.
What are the steps we have completed?
- We have been documenting service material in house on a daily basis since 2018 in preparation of the EPA revision that was published in 2021, as noted within our 2023 Consumer Confidence Report.
- In August of 2024, we completed a full inventory of service lines, with no unknown services and began working with MassDEP for submittal in advance of the required deadline of October 16, 2024.
- We have a fully implemented Corrosion Control Plan that stops the leaching of metals, as described within our 2022 Consumer Confidence Report.
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