ADAMS, Mass. — The town of Adams is closing all municipal buildings to public access effective Tuesday. 

 

This follows the town's declaration of a state emergency last week and Gov. Charlie Baker's orders on Sunday limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

The following municipal buildings will be closed to the public: Town Hall, the Department of Public Works garage on North Summer St., the Adams Free Library, and Council on Aging/Visitors Center.

 

Town staff will report as usual and be available by telephone to handle municipal business. A drop box will be located at the front steps of Town Hall for the public to deposit paperwork and necessary items to allow for continuation of services. Residents are encouraged to use online features and functions of the town webpages; transaction fees will be waived for the duration of the ongoing emergency. Town government will continue to provide essential functions and services to the best of our ability and all town staff will be available by phone. 

 

All non-essential public meetings have been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date or when a method to allow for remote participation can be established.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as this situation evolves. Please know that these and other actions are being taken in the interest of public health and safety consistent with guidance from the Office of the Governor and Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

 

VISITORS CENTER OFFICES: The Visitors Center will be closed to the general public until further notice. All scheduled meetings and events are canceled until further notice.

 

▪ Council on Aging will be closed to the general public for walk-in services, but will continue to offer essential transportation services on a pre-arranged basis. The Council on Aging staff are onsite and will be determining if an in-person meeting is necessary by phone at 413-743-8333. For any needs relatable to the older adult population, i.e. access to health care, transportation, nutrition, etc. contact the staff via phone so that they may assess your needs and how we may best

address them.

 

ADAMS FREE LIBRARY: The library will be closed until further notice. Staff will be available via phone from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Please return books via the drop box on Melrose Street and call ahead to arrange to pick up items at 413-743-8345. Email services will still be running and virtual resources are available on the website. The wireless signal will remain on and accessible outside the building on the property. Late fees will be waived during this time and expiration dates for items on hold will be extended.

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT: Police walk-up services including the license-to-carry and other fingerprinting services are suspended at this time. Also suspended are residential lock-out assistance; medication collection in the lobby; station tours or driver's education sessions; no outside food donations will be accepted; child safety seat installations or inspections will be limited to newborns; all summons or notices will be mailed to the address listed on the paperwork; records and information processing limited to time-sensitive matters; motor vehicle crash reports will be mailed to the current RMV address listed for the vehicles involved and should be mailed back to:

Adams Police Department

Attn: Sgt. Scott McWhirt

4 School Street Adams, MA 01220

 

Further information on any of these matters may be obtained by calling the Police Department directly at 413-743-1212.

 

 

TOWN HALL OFFICES: All staff will be working but offices are closed to the public. Use the drop box at the entrance for documents.

 

▪ Adams Retirement Board may be reached at 413-743-5575

▪ Northern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District at 413-743-8208

▪ Town Assessor: Staff will be available by phone to answer questions at 413-743-8300, Ext. 178. 

▪ Treasurer/Tax Collector's Office: Staff is available by phone for any questions at 413-743-8300, Ext. 177, however payments are not accepted over the phone. Send payments by postal mail or pay online through the website for real estate, parking tickets, personal property and excise bills. Payments can be made by check or credit cards and the fee that is attached will be waived. Bag tags for the transfer station may be purchased for $1.20 each or $6 for five by check through the postal mail, and they will be mailed back to you.

▪ Town Clerk's Office: Staff will be available by phone to answer questions on birth, marriage and death certificates, dog licenses or questions regarding the Census or elections at 413-743-8333, Ext. 176. 

▪ Building Commissioner's Office at 413-743-8300, Ext. 171 or by email. Online permitting services are available for all building permits. 

▪ Board of Health/Code Enforcement Office at 413-743-8300, Ext. 171, or by email. Online permitting services are available for all Board of Health permits.

▪ Community Development Office at 413-743-8300, Ext. 173, or by email. 

▪ Department of Public Works/Cemeteries, Parks & Grounds Office at 413-743-8300, Ext. 172, or by email. 

▪ Town Administrator/Board of Selectmen Office at 413-743-8300, Ext. 170, or by email.

 

 

Updates will be made available as situations unfold.