Public Meetings - Great Barrington, Massachusetts

The Great Barrington Select Board met virtually on February 23, 2026, to address liquor license transfers, utility pole installation, a property deed transfer for the Du Bois Freedom Center, and two special permit applications for residential properties. The meeting also featured updates on the municipal budget and snowstorm response. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from February 3rd and February 9th, 2026. - Du Bois Freedom Center Deed Transfer: The board voted unanimously to authorize the signing of the deed transferring the Elm Court parcel to the Du Bois Freedom Center, pursuant to Article 25 of the May 6, 2024 Annual Town Meeting. This transfer provides access for the elevator tower and lobby of the planned center. Public Comments & Testimony - Jan Waldrich (253 Long Pond Road): Raised concerns regarding the history of the Sherman property at 263 Long Pond Road, including clear-cutting near the pond. - Michelle LeBert (70 Division Street): Strongly supported the Lado fence application, sharing a recent story of a truck crashing near her home. During Citizens Speak, she requested an update on negotiations to purchase the waterworks and urged the town to address safety and rail stockyard issues in residential zones. - Toby Stanton (69 Division Street): Supported the Lado fence application, calling it necessary for child safety on Division Street. Discussion Items - Aroma Bar & Grill Liquor License Transfer: An applicant, Mutay Yasubaya, appeared to request a transfer of the liquor license and change of manager for Aroma Bar & Grill at 45 Main Street. Mr. Yasubaya confirmed no changes to the menu, structure, or operating hours were planned. - National Grid Utility Pole: Steve Hayward of National Grid requested permission to install one new utility pole on Monument Valley Road to serve 271 Monument Valley Road. Board member Eric recused himself from this hearing. - 263 Long Pond Road Expansion (Special Permit to ZBA): The board reviewed a proposal to expand a pre-existing non-conforming residence. The applicant noted the expansion triggers a special permit due to a greater than 25% increase in gross floor area (a 49% increase from 3,800 to 5,700 square feet was detailed). Discussion focused on the site's history with conservation issues and the proposed septic system near Long Pond. The applicant stated a restoration plan for cleared vegetation is under review by the Conservation Commission. - 34 Division Street Fence (Special Permit to Planning Board): Marcy Lado requested a six-foot solid wood fence in the front yard for child safety due to heavy traffic. Neighbors expressed unanimous support, with one resident calling the traffic out of control. - VRTA Appointment: Chair announced the appointment of Tate Coleman as the town's representative to the March 4 VRTA meeting. Town Manager's & Board Reports - Snowstorm Response: The Town Manager thanked DPW, Police, and Fire for their coordinated response to the snowstorm, noting operations will continue for widening and cleanup over the following days. - Waterworks Reimbursement Program: $93,450.27 was disbursed to 126 households as of February 23rd. A remaining balance of $87,957.36 is available. - FY27 Budget: The budget book is available online. Operating budget workshops are scheduled for February 24th and 25th, with capital budget workshops on March 3rd and 4th. - Residential Tax Exemption: The town updated the Assessor's webpage to include FAQs and a public comment form. No decision has been made on adopting the exemption. Key Outcomes - Aroma Bar & Grill (Vote): Approved unanimously for transfer of license and change of manager. - National Grid Pole (Vote): Approved unanimously for the installation of the new utility pole. - Du Bois Freedom Center Deed (Vote): Approved unanimously for the deed transfer. - 263 Long Pond Road (Vote): Approved unanimously to send a positive recommendation to the ZBA, with a note to emphasize the residential zoning restriction and the ongoing Conservation Commission restoration plan. - 34 Division Street (Vote): Approved unanimously to send a positive recommendation to the Planning Board.

Date: February 17, 2026 The Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust held a remote meeting to approve minutes, hear reports, and discuss two major initiatives: the Rising Dale housing project and the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program. The trust reviewed survey results, set next steps for Rising Dale, and debated proposed changes to the ADU program rubric and overview. Consent Calendar & Minutes Approval - Minutes of January 20, 2026 were approved unanimously (all present voting aye). - Minutes of the January 22, 2026 subcommittee were approved with Garfield abstaining because he was not present at that subcommittee meeting (Peter, Fred, Ananda aye; Garfield abstained). - The minutes were amended to include the schedule for quarterly reports (first report due in April) and to correct a statement about Chris recommending a housing coordinator (that point was deferred to the recording). Reports - Select Board Presentation: Fred and Ananda updated the select board on trust activities and Prosperity Way. Key questions addressed: infrastructure costs (Chris clarified), the ADU program (Vivian Orloski question deferred), the Prosperity Way application process (Habitat for Humanity provided an update), and the choice of frame construction (Habitat explained). - Prosperity Way Open Houses: Two open houses are scheduled: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at 385 North Plain Road, and Thursday, February 26, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Currently, six houses are under construction—five with 3–4 bedrooms and one smaller frame house. - Developer RFP: The RFP for the developer program was issued last week and is posted on the town website. - Advertising Funds: $149 remains from the approved advertising budget; the mandatory Berkshire Eagle ad has been posted but not yet paid. - Jim Bailey’s Public Comment: At the select board meeting, Jim Bailey expressed concerns about the infrastructure phase and foundation costs, suggesting a change order and procurement issues. He felt he had been lied to, but trust members noted that his concerns were addressed by town staff and that the procurement process is outside the trust’s purview. Discussion Items: Rising Dale Project - Survey Results Review: The trust reviewed updated survey data collected from October to November 2025. Key findings: 28% of respondents live in the neighborhood, 28% in Housatonic. Priorities for project design include safety (traffic, parking, lighting), green spaces, homes that match the scale of nearby buildings, shared spaces, and energy efficiency. - Process and Next Steps: The trust agreed that further data collection is needed, particularly to reach Spanish-speaking residents and Black and Brown communities. The current survey did not collect demographic data. Members also discussed whether to involve the Planning Board early; the consensus was to wait until a draft RFP is ready. - Feasibility and Parameters: The trust acknowledged that an engineering feasibility study is needed and that the property, purchased with CPA funds, must remain affordable at 100% AMI unless state law changes (a seasonal community designation could raise the limit to 250% AMI, but this would not apply to CPA-funded projects without legislative amendment). - Adopted Path Forward: The existing subcommittee (Fred, Bill, and Jen) will develop a proposed process and timeline, incorporating feedback from tonight’s discussion, and return to the trust with a draft RFP and plan for additional community outreach (including translated materials). The timeline extends beyond the original June target. Discussion Items: ADU Program - The trust reviewed the ADU program overview and scoring rubric. Proposed changes and votes: - Motion to eliminate Goal 3 (resident landlord financial need) and the corresponding rubric criterion: Failed 0–4 (all present voted no). Members argued that this goal distinguishes the ADU program from the developer RFP and that the rubric already allows applicants with low financial need to score well in other areas. - Other changes adopted: - Changed “lean for indebtedness” from “may” to “will” (loan documents will include a recorded lien/promissory note). - Added a definition of “straightforward language”: language that can be easily understood by a reasonable person. - Set the maximum forgivable loan per applicant at $100,000 (in line with the current budget). The total program budget for this cycle is approximately $100,000. - The $5,000 administrative cost allocation was not finalized; Fred, Chris, and Ananda will continue working on subcontractor options and return with a recommendation. - The trust noted that one ADU has been successfully built under the pilot program and expressed commitment to moving the program forward to an open application cycle. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved as amended. - Rising Dale subcommittee will produce a process outline and timeline, incorporating additional community outreach and a draft RFP, to be presented at a future meeting. - ADU program documents were updated with the agreed changes; further refinements (administrative costs) will be finalized next month. - Trustees speak: Peter reported that Egremont successfully used a property tax exemption for affordable housing with minimal cost (approx. $9,800), and suggested exploring CPA-backed bonds to fund housing development. He also noted he cannot attend the March 17 meeting due to a ZBA conflict. - Meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.

The Great Barrington Planning Board met by Zoom on Thursday, February 12, 2026, because the Town Hall meeting room was not accessible. Board members present were Malcolm Fick, Pedro Pachano, Jonathan Hankin, Jackie Kane, and Brandy Nelson; Jeremy Ega was absent. The board endorsed two Form A plans, acted on two special-permit recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeals, postponed one hearing, and continued discussions on seasonal communities and the Open Space and Recreation Plan. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Form A – 409 North Plain Road - Jim Seidel of SK Design Group, for Elizabeth Picoli, presented a revised Form A for a 1.9-acre lot on the west side of North Plain Road/Route 41 in Housatonic, about 209 feet south of Rachel's Way. - The proposal replaces an earlier .728-acre lot plan from April 2024. The lot is in the R1A district and meets area, width, and setback requirements; the existing garage is 29 feet from the new lot line versus a 20-foot side-yard requirement. - The board voted to endorse the plan. Form A – 124 Lake Buell Road - Mike Parsons presented a Form A to adjust lot lines between Danny and Ann Ronaldi and Josh and Amanda Seal. The Ronaldis will convey the accessory building at the bottom of their driveway to the Seals, with the remaining Ronaldi lot retaining 120 feet of road frontage and 150 feet of lot width in the R2 district; the new property line will be 15 feet from the accessory building. - The plan states the conveyed parcel is not to be considered a separate building lot. The board endorsed it. - Pedro Pachano asked about the graphic convention for showing existing lot lines; Parsons explained the current lines must be shown until the deed is recorded. Minutes - Minutes of the January 22, 2026, meeting were approved as amended. Public Comments & Testimony - Jan Wojik, a neighbor of 263 Long Pond Road, raised concern about the location of her well relative to the proposed septic component and asked that the separation be at least 100 feet. She was told the updated plans show that dimension and said she had no other concerns. - Vivian, chair of the Agricultural Commission, asked whether the Feb. 26 farm summit invitation could be extended to nearby groups and experts beyond Great Barrington. She stressed the importance of regional and local food sources, noting that 85% of Massachusetts food comes from the Midwest and Pacific Coast. Board members said the meeting is public and broader participation would be valuable, though breakout-group mechanics were still to be determined. Special Permit Review – 263 Long Pond Road - Brian Sider of Foresight Land Services presented the application by William and Marla Sherman to expand a pre-existing nonconforming residence on a 32-acre parcel. Because the expansion adds more than 25% to gross floor area, a special permit is required under Sections 5.54 and 10.4. - The existing 1760s house is 47 feet from the front property line, three feet inside the 50-foot setback. The proposed addition on the north side, a kitchen/screened-porch expansion, and mudroom would not increase the nonconformity. A new barn and guest house are by right. The existing septic system failed; an updated septic plan was submitted to the Board of Health. - Board members generally saw no issue; Pedro said the 25% threshold unnecessarily brought the application forward. Brandy Nelson recused herself because she was the listing broker when the owners purchased the property. - The board voted to send a positive recommendation to the ZBA. Note: Nelson stated she would recuse, but the roll call recorded an aye from her. Special Permit/Site Plan Review – Fairview Hospital, 27 Lewis Avenue / Zero West Street - The board held a site visit at 4 p.m. and then heard from Vicky Donahue (counsel), Steve Mack (Foresight), Joe LaRoche, and other Fairview/Berkshire Health Systems team members. - The hospital is a pre-existing nonconforming use in a residential zone. The hospital campus is about 15.5 acres, mostly in R2 with small R1A frontage; the existing hospital is 86,700 square feet. The proposal is an approximately 50,000-square-foot addition (44,000 square feet on two floors plus 6,000 square feet of connectors) housing a new emergency center, imaging/operating facilities, and MRI. Existing hospital space would be renovated into private patient suites and improved support space. - Parking would increase from 186 existing spaces to 343, exceeding the 320-space zoning requirement. The traffic study by Pear Corporation concluded there would be no increase in traffic because services are being upgraded/relocated rather than expanded, though the MRI use would no longer require travel to Pittsfield. - The plan includes a new driveway entrance off Lewis Avenue through an adjacent Berkshire Health Systems-owned lot, a reconfigured service entrance, and a West Avenue exit. The applicant said the water loop would improve fire protection. - Stormwater would be captured from roofs and pavement, treated in pretreatment units and two large underground infiltration chambers; the project is seeking LEED Silver and would retain the 80th-percentile storm event on site. Test pits showed sandy/gravelly soils with no high groundwater. - Board concerns and requested follow-up: correct mislabeled east/west elevations and add a north arrow; provide lighting details meeting the town bylaw (3,000K or less, dark-sky-compliant; current plan showed 4,000K); verify handicap-parking count; provide more detailed landscaping/screening, especially east of the new parking and visibility from Lewis Avenue; and clarify pedestrian/vehicle circulation and internal wayfinding. The board also discussed the limited sight distance at the West Avenue driveway and asked the applicant to implement traffic-study signage recommendations. - The board voted to send a positive recommendation to the ZBA, with the applicant to return for final site plan review after the ZBA special permit process. The ZBA hearing is scheduled for March 17. Public Hearing – 53 Van Dusenville Road - The applicant requested postponement of the special permit public hearing. Because a vote could not be taken until 6 p.m., the board reordered the agenda and returned to this item after the Fairview discussion. - After 6 p.m., the board voted to continue the hearing to March 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Seasonal Communities Discussion - The Select Board is considering placing the seasonal community designation question on the May Annual Town Meeting; comments from boards are due by early March (around March 6). State regulations have been finalized, and communities accepting the designation must bring zoning into compliance within 24 months. - Board members discussed the main local effects: the affordable housing trust could serve households at a higher AMI threshold, and the residential exemption could rise from the current 35% state limit to 50%. They also discussed the requirement to allow development of substandard lots (not less than a quarter acre) for attainable housing and non-movable tiny houses that must meet building code. - Pedro Pachano expressed skepticism that income verification and annual reporting requirements would create enough incentive; Malcolm Fick and others noted state law limits eligibility to municipal employees, meaning ambulance and hospital workers would not qualify unless the Legislature changes the statute. School district employees may count. - The town has requested Berkshire Regional Planning Commission DLTA assistance to help reach compliance if the designation is accepted. The board will continue the discussion and prepare comments for the Select Board. Open Space and Recreation Plan Discussion - The Feb. 26 meeting will focus on agriculture, farms, farmers, and food; the March 26 meeting will focus on parks, playgrounds, active recreation, fields, and trails/connectivity. Outreach will include the Agricultural Commission, Parks and Recreation, stakeholders, and social media. - Brandy Nelson asked about bicycle/pedestrian connectivity, including Housatonic-to-Great Barrington connections; the board agreed this fits under the active recreation/connectivity discussion and could inform future master planning. Board Updates and Other Topics - Jackie Kane reported the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) is not fully staffed and needs to review town signage. - Pedro Pachano asked the board to consider hosting a presentation on the residential exemption, tied to a citizens' petition and Select Board deliberations; discussion may be scheduled in early March. - Malcolm Fick flagged new state energy siting regulations, including a consolidated local permitting process required by Sept. 30; the town requested BRPC assistance and will share resources. Key Outcomes - Endorsed Form A at 409 North Plain Road. - Endorsed Form A at 124 Lake Buell Road. - Approved Jan. 22, 2026 minutes as amended. - Sent positive special permit recommendation to the ZBA for 263 Long Pond Road. - Sent positive special permit/site plan recommendation to the ZBA for Fairview Hospital, with follow-up items for final site plan review. - Postponed 53 Van Dusenville Road hearing to March 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. - Continued seasonal communities discussion; comments to Select Board planned by early March. - Scheduled OSRP thematic discussions for Feb. 26 and March 26. - Adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

The Great Barrington Library Board of Trustees met on February 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The meeting covered the library director's report on the budget and staffing, a substantial review of the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its affiliated organizations, an update on the Ramsdale Library renovation project, feedback on town tax proposals, and a strategy session regarding the tabled Community Preservation Committee (CPC) grant application. Consent Calendar - The board unanimously approved the meeting minutes from January 7, 2026, as amended to reflect the absence of trustee Lauren Clark. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered testimony during the formal public comment portion of the meeting. Discussion Items - Library Director's Report: Director Don reported on the budget review with Town Manager Liz Hartzgroves, noting potential line increases and that union negotiations beginning February 27 will delay filling the vacant position until at least May. The board discussed utilizing Mass Library System (MLS) bibliotemps to address cataloging backlogs. An update was provided on the March 8th screening of "The Librarian" at the Triplex. - Chair's Update & Affiliate Reports: Chair Dawn noted the Town Manager is seeking the board's feedback on the Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) and Seasonal Communities Designation. The board reviewed written reports from the Friends and Library Fund. A significant discussion occurred regarding the historical archives stored at Ramsdale; the board concluded the primary responsibility lies with the Historical Commission and Town Manager, not the Library Trustees. Trustee Pat Hollandbeck alerted the board to a $100,000 matching Massachusetts Historical Preservation grant opportunity with a March 13 deadline, which will be forwarded to the Town Manager. - Ramsdale Design Review: The Ramsdale design review scored 229 out of 288, with an adequacy score of 8 out of 9. The project is waitlisted for state funding. Chair Dawn detailed plans for community tours and a town manager-initiated video tour to build public support. - CPC Grant Application: The library's CPC application for Ramsdale was tabled. Chair Dawn will contact CPC administrator Chris Randall to clarify the process for moving forward. Draft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) were distributed for trustee feedback. - Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): The board conducted a detailed review of the draft MOU between the Library, Trustees, Friends, and Library Fund. Agreed edits included removing language implying library staff would set up for affiliate events, clarifying that web links must direct users to the affiliate's general home page (not directly to payment portals), and specifying that storage space is limited and must be mutually agreed upon. The board emphasized that the library must control the brand and public messaging. Trustees Ruby and Sharon were tasked with finalizing the document in coordination with the Ramsdale Building Advisory Committee (RBAC). - Tax Proposals: Trustees expressed significant concerns about the RTE, viewing it as potentially divisive and harmful to the donor base and community vitality. The board was more favorable to the Seasonal Communities Designation, seeing it as a flexible tool for attainable housing and staff retention. Key Outcomes - The board approved the January 7th meeting minutes as amended. - The board unanimously appropriated $1,710 from Mason donations for the library legislative breakfast, expecting a $1,500 reimbursement. - The Director will explore MLS bibliotemps for temporary cataloging help. - Ruby and Sharon will lead the finalization of the MOU and alignment with the RBAC. - The Chair will meet with the CPC administrator to clarify next steps for the tabled application. - The Town Manager will receive the board's synthesized feedback on the RTE and Seasonal Communities proposals.

The Great Barrington Select Board held a regular meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m. The board heard the town manager’s report, approved routine items, discussed a draft Trust Policy addendum with the Bridge and interim police chief, considered proposed BRTA route changes, reviewed the Prosperity Way affordable housing project, acted on a Fairview Hospital expansion application, and heard citizen comments. Announcements - The chair announced that the citizens petition would close Friday, February 13, 2026, at the close of business at Town Hall. Town Manager’s Report - The town’s electricity aggregation rate through Colonial Power Group will increase by approximately $7.15 per month following a federal regulatory change. The rate remains competitive with basic service, and the program continues to provide long-term value since its launch in 2017. - 2026 dog licenses are now available. All dogs six months of age or older must be licensed by March 31, 2026, with proof of current rabies vaccination. - MassDEP confirmed that labor costs associated with installation of eligible water filtration systems are reimbursable. Over the past 10 weeks, the town distributed $72,017.93 in reimbursements; the FY26 total as of February 19 was reported as $84,8326 (as transcribed), supporting 115 households. - Staff developed public materials on the residential tax exemption and distributed a peer-input survey to all 21 Massachusetts communities that currently have a residential tax exemption or split tax rates. Responses will be shared at the next scheduled meeting on the topic. - The FY27 budget process is proceeding: a public overview and FY27 financial forecast were presented on February 3, and FY27 budget books will be available online by Friday, February 13, 2026. Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals - The board approved the January 26, 2026 meeting minutes as written, with four votes in favor. - The board unanimously approved a temporary entertainment license for Gwendolyn Van Sant of the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee to use town property for Du Bois Day and Legacy Festival events on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Select Board member disclosed membership on the Legacy Committee before the vote. Trust Policy 2.0 Discussion - Bridge representatives and Interim Police Chief Adam Carlotto presented an implementation and governance addendum to the town’s 2017 Trust Policy. The addendum is intended to provide procedure, clarify roles and expectations, and build trust, not to replace or expand the original policy. - The presentation described five pillars: community policing and community relationships; Trust Policy partnerships and a possible community care team; ICE notification procedures; strategic plan and budget alignment; and civics education and advocacy. - Chief Carlotto said the police department wants to use ICE courtesy calls to verify whether an apprehension occurred and obtain the person’s name and destination, while being careful not to cut off ICE notifications. He confirmed Great Barrington does not participate in ICE’s 287(g) program, does not execute federal civil immigration enforcement, and does not allocate town resources to ICE activities. - Board discussion addressed de-escalation, language access, co-responder/social worker resources, mutual aid with other departments, and the need to set realistic expectations for what local police can do. - Community members expressed support for community care partnerships and for keeping communication open so local health providers and families can get accurate information. One resident raised concern about immigrants being afraid to report crime; another asked about helping people taken to detention centers; one asked a hypothetical question about a firearm in a parking lot, which the chief declined to answer as hypothetical. - Next step: the draft will be posted on a town web page with an online comment form, and comments will be brought back at the board’s March 2, 2026 meeting. BRTA Route Changes and Letter of Concern - Assistant Town Manager Chris Rumble summarized proposed Berkshire Regional Transit Authority route realignments. The proposal would eliminate the 921 express bus between Great Barrington and Pittsfield, significantly reduce local Route 21 service from Great Barrington to Lee, cut 11 of the current 18 Great Barrington weekday bus trips, and nearly double ride times to Pittsfield. - BRTA has scheduled public comment opportunities: remote meetings on February 12, 19, and 26, and in-person meetings on February 11 and 25. - Select Board member Phil, the town’s BRTA representative, said BRTA attributes the cuts to low South County ridership, but the board believes unreliable service caused by driver shortages reduced ridership. The town pays an annual BRTA assessment of more than $60,000 regardless of service levels. - The board voted unanimously to authorize the assistant town manager to draft a letter of concern for Select Board approval at its February 23, 2026 meeting. Prosperity Way Affordable Housing Project Update - Fred Clark, Affordable Housing Trust Fund co-chair, presented the trust’s programs: housing stabilization, zero-down/zero-interest down payment loans (13 completed), an accessory dwelling unit loan pilot, affordable housing development grants, and property acquisition. - The Prosperity Way project at Map 26 Lot 53A was first conceived in July 2019; land was purchased in July 2020; MassWorks funding was awarded in October 2021; the infrastructure bid opened August 9, 2024; construction of five modular homes and one framed home began in summer 2025; the development agreement was signed in fall 2025; and ownership transferred to Habitat in January 2026. - The project will create 20 permanently affordable, deed-restricted homes. Habitat is responsible for design, development, construction, financing, and operation, while the trust and town retain affordability oversight and responsibility for certain infrastructure. The trust will begin quarterly reporting with Habitat. - As of the December CPA update, Habitat had received 261 pre-screen applications, 76 of which were eligible to proceed to full applications. Since then, 69 new pre-screens were added. At the meeting, Habitat reported 38 pre-screens from Great Barrington, 22 from Housatonic, and 35 from outside Berkshire County. - Habitat’s CEO said the next modular order is targeted for the end of March, pending units under contract, and an open house was announced. Fairview Hospital Expansion – Special Permit Recommendation - Joe LaRocha, Vice President of Facilities at Berkshire Health Systems, presented a special permit application for a two-story addition to Fairview Hospital at 2729 Lewis Avenue. The addition will be about 44,000 square feet, plus 6,000 square feet of connectors, to the existing approximately 86,700-square-foot hospital building. - The project includes a new operating room suite, endoscopy suite, emergency department imaging, a permanent MRI service, a new ambulance entrance, and updated parking and circulation. The project is intended to be LEED Silver and will include geothermal systems. - Construction is estimated at about 18 months, with a possible April start subject to permits. A neighboring home purchased by the hospital will be used temporarily for construction offices and later possibly for staff housing. - One Select Board member recused because of employment with Berkshire Health Systems at Fairview Hospital. The remaining board voted to send a positive recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the special permit. Citizen Comments - A resident repeated earlier concerns about the Prosperity Way project, alleging that $103,000 in Smart Growth grant funds was spent on foundations without a bid or formal contract and that he had been given inaccurate information at a previous meeting. He also said the funds were intended for a separate Smart Growth overlay district and called for board and town manager action and greater transparency. - A resident asked for an update on Housatonic waterworks, noting an executive session on Friday; the board said there was no update. Key Outcomes - Approved the January 26, 2026 meeting minutes (4 yes). - Approved the temporary entertainment license for the Du Bois Day/Legacy Festival (unanimous). - Set the Trust Policy draft comment period, with return to the board on March 2, 2026. - Authorized a BRTA letter of concern for approval on February 23, 2026. - Approved a positive recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for Fairview Hospital’s special permit, with one recusal. - Meeting adjourned after citizen comments and select board member updates.

The Great Barrington Board of Health met on February 5, 2026, at 6:38 PM via remote participation. Members present included Dr. Ruby Chang, Michael Lenew, and later Peter Stanton. The session covered special permits for local facilities, a public hearing on fee schedule updates, a correction order extension, and department updates. Consent Calendar / Minutes - The Board approved the minutes from the January 8th meeting. Motion by Ruby Chang, seconded by Michael Lenew. Vote: unanimous. Discussion Items: Fairview Hospital Special Permit - Brian Sider of Foresight Land Services presented a special permit request for a two-story, 50,000 square foot addition on the east side of Fairview Hospital. The addition will relocate the emergency department, radiology, imaging, and surgical services from cramped existing spaces into a new building. The project does not increase the number of beds (25) or the volume of water and sewer usage. It includes a new flat parking lot, geothermal wells, and a stormwater infiltration system. Solar panels were explored but deemed unfeasible. No incinerator will be added; medical waste will continue to be handled by a third party. - Vicky Donahue of Fairview Hospital stated the project will also allow for the expansion of patient rooms to all private rooms and improve service vehicle access by repurposing the old emergency department for loading. - Board members expressed strong support for the project, noting its long-awaited nature and benefits for emergency and critical care services. Questions were asked about construction noise (no blasting, normal hours), the timeline (18-month build, groundbreaking expected April 2026), and medical waste disposal. - Vote: Motion to pass the special permit on to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) without comment. Made by Ruby Chang, seconded by Peter Stanton. Unanimous. Discussion Items: 263 Long Pond Road Special Permit - Brian Sider presented a special permit for renovating a house built in 1760 at 263 Long Pond Road. The house is a pre-existing non-conforming structure due to a three-foot encroachment into the front setback. The proposed addition includes a mudroom and screened porch expansion. The project also requires a separate septic system upgrade. Board members noted that the special permit is before them solely due to the non-conforming setback. - Public Comment: Jan Mojik, a neighbor at 253 Long Pond Road, expressed concerns that the proposed septic system and its reserve area were too close to his well, which had to be drilled over 600 feet and fracked. He urged moving the system further north on the 32-acre property. - Brian Sider responded that the location was chosen for suitable soil and gravity flow, but he was not initially aware the well was within 100 feet. He agreed to confirm the distance and adjust the design if necessary to meet Title 5 setback requirements. - The Board noted that the septic plan is a separate approval process handled by the health department. - Vote: Motion to pass the special permit on to the ZBA with the comment that the proposed septic system must meet proper setback requirements. Made by Peter Stanton, seconded by Ruby Chang. Unanimous. Public Hearing: Proposed Fee Schedule Update - The Board opened a public hearing to discuss the first update to the fee schedule since 2016. Health Agent Rebecca proposed increases to align permitting fees with an approximate $30 per hour health inspector rate, based on estimated inspection time. - Board members Ruby Chang, Peter Stanton, and Michael Lenew discussed the need to set rates higher (e.g., $40 per hour) to better cover costs and support hiring a qualified health inspector. They also debated moving from a seating-capacity-based system to a risk-based or inspection-frequency-based model, citing Amherst's simpler flat-fee system ($300 per restaurant) as a potential model. - It was agreed that the fee structure should be forward-looking and that seasonal vendors and tenant-landlord situations should be approached carefully. - Vote: The public hearing was continued to the March 5, 2026 meeting. Rebecca will bring back additional columns showing comparables (Pittsfield, Amherst) and projections based on different hourly rates. Motion by Peter Stanton, seconded by Ruby Chang. Unanimous. Public Hearing: 610 Manville Street, LLC Correction Order - The Board held a public hearing regarding a correction order issued to 610 Manville Street, LLC for violations at a multi-family building at the corner of Manville and Main Street. Violations included cracked and uneven concrete walkways and steps, missing graspable handrails, and lack of illumination. - The owner requested an extension to May 1st, 2026, to complete the concrete repairs due to weather constraints. - The Board granted the extension with the added condition that the owner post warning signage (e.g., "Uneven Pavement") in the affected areas during the extension period. - Vote: Motion to approve the extension to May 1st with warning signage. Unanimous. Department Updates - Rabies Clinic: The annual rabies clinic will be moved to May or June 2026 to align with warmer weather and improve attendance, despite not matching the April 1st dog licensing deadline. - Homelessness/Pittsfield Collaboration: Rebecca reported a conversation with a Pittsfield Board of Health member about establishing a regional public health approach to homelessness. Great Barrington has not yet faced this as a pressing public health issue but may review Pittsfield's action plan for potential local application. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.

On February 3, 2026, the Great Barrington Select Board and Finance Committee held a joint virtual meeting to receive a presentation from Town Manager Liz, along with Finance Director Allie and Accountant Chris, on the state of the FY26 budget and the forecast for FY27. The presentation focused on the town's financial policies, budgetary pressures, and three scenarios for closing a projected deficit. Public Comments & Testimony - James Garzone (84 North Lane Road) thanked the staff for the in-depth presentation, agreed that employees deserve a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), noted concerns about rising debt from the Housatonic Waterworks sale and school borrowing, and referenced the residential tax exemption discussion. - Sharon Shalou asked what the town plans to do about the school's operating budget, which she described as unsustainable given a dwindling population, and urged that it not be taken as a given. - Vivian (via chat, then unmuted) highlighted Black History Month and events from the Du Bois Legacy Committee, and later asked about the source of $175,000 in investment income. Discussion Items - Presentation Overview: Liz explained the two-part structure: where the town stands in FY26 (third quarter) and what is needed for FY27. She outlined the layered budgeting framework, the town's mission statement, strategic priorities, and the five key financial policy principles (live within means, realistic revenue assumptions, clear funding sources, long-term balance, responsible debt management). - Free Cash & Debt: Allie presented free cash certified at $11,245,266, with $5,632,278.6 reserved for cannabis-related legal matters, leaving $6,182,014 for general use. Debt service currently consumes about 19% of the town's $16.6 million general operating budget, far above the recommended 5–7% threshold, and the town's bond rating is at AA+ but at risk of dropping if new borrowing continues. - Existing Commitments: Unfunded capital projects (including overspent authorizations) create additional pressure. Rising employee benefits, school assessments, infrastructure needs, and limited revenue growth under Proposition 2½ are structural drivers. - Three Budget Scenarios: - Scenario 1 (6.23% operating increase): Includes 2% COLA for all employees, no workforce reduction, $200k in reserves, $3.5M capital funded by free cash (no new borrowing), but results in a $5.5M deficit. - Scenario 2 (2.45% operating increase): Zero COLA, meets financial policy minimally, no free cash for operations, $4.8M deficit, and moves non-mandatory items (celebrations, VFW/American Legion leases, Housatonic legal fees) to free cash funding. - Scenario 3 (meets Proposition 2½, zero COLA, offsets deficit with all available free cash): Still leaves a 1.2% operating deficit and fails to meet contractual obligations. - Levy Limit & Revenue: Estimated FY27 levy limit at $30,586,345 after 2.5% increase and $100k new growth, plus $1.15M debt exclusions. Cannabis revenue is not projected due to volatility; prior year free cash accounted for actual receipts. - Capital Requests: Departments submitted $18M in capital needs over five years; Liz's recommendation spreads $4.82M across FY27 funded by free cash ($3.5M), grants, Chapter 90, and $400k from capital stabilization (leaving $1.1M balance). No new borrowing for capital. - Restructuring Proposals: HR duties reassigned between Town Manager's office and Treasurer; IT moved to Town Manager's office; South County Connector Transportation to be established as an enterprise fund. - Service Enhancement Grants: $150k proposed for health/water intern, human service grants, arts/culture, employee professional development, and fire department washer/dryer. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken; the presentation was informational. - The budget book will be delivered to boards on Friday, February 13 (10 days from meeting), with six additional meetings scheduled before the joint public hearing on April 14. - Town Manager Liz noted that a Proposition 2½ override is legally possible and could create a blank slate to stop the structural deficit growth, but no decision was made. - Finance Director Allie clarified that the new growth figure is a conservative local estimate; actual numbers come from the assessor in late summer. - The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.

The Great Barrington Parks and Recreation Commission met on February 2, 2026, at 5:15 PM. The meeting covered approvals of parks usage requests for youth sports programs, a memorial tree donation, an update from the Housatonic (Who's Atonic) committee, and a broader discussion on volunteerism and compensation for program leaders. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Motion to approve the minutes of January 5, 2026. One commissioner abstained because they were not present at the previous meeting. All others voted in favor; motion passed. Public Comments & Testimony - Laura (citizen, Sumner Street resident): Introduced herself, expressed interest in trails and outdoor recreation, mentioned frequent use of Flag Rock trail, and asked how to get more involved in parks and recreation activities. Discussion Items - Parks Usage Request – Pick & Roll (basketball program): Matt presented an annual request for use of facilities. A date correction was noted: the end date should be October 30, not November 3, due to calendar errors. Matt stated the program has two sessions – a traveling team with a fee (approximately $300 per participant last year, covering about 75% of tournament costs, with fundraising for the rest) and a workout session for younger participants. Most participants (75-80%) are from Great Barrington, with a few from outside. Commissioner Bill raised the topic of whether program leaders should be compensated for their time, sparking a wider discussion about volunteerism and valuing youth program leaders. Several commissioners (Steve, Joe, Paul) noted the importance of volunteerism but acknowledged that attracting and retaining leaders may require some form of support, such as funding for equipment or scholarships. The commission agreed to return to the fee conversation at the next meeting and suggested exploring creative networking to recruit more volunteers. Motion to approve with the date correction; all in favor, motion passed. - Parks Usage Request – Southern Berkshire Youth Football & Cheerleading: Representatives requested annual renewal for field use from August 1 to November 7. Fees last year were $185 for football and $150 for cheerleading; fees may rise slightly this year due to insurance. The program serves about 60 kids (50 per football/cheer), has a scholarship policy (10+ kids per season unable to pay), and relies on volunteers and fundraising. Coaches are currently in short supply. Discussion again touched on volunteerism and potential town contributions (e.g., covering costs for 5 scholarship kids per year). Commissioners also discussed improving volunteer recruitment through town website, Facebook, and other networks. Motion to approve; all in favor, motion passed. - Memorial Tree Donation – Kitty Silverman: Kitty Silverman (on Zoom) requested to donate a tree in memory of her parents, who lived on Sumner Street and loved Great Barrington. She expressed openness to either a tree or a bench with a simple plaque, ideally walkable to town. Commissioners supported the idea and discussed options, noting that the Tree Committee and the town's tree warden would need to vet location and species. Commissioner Leo shared that his mother had worked for Kitty's parents. Motion to endorse the donation and to ask the Tree Committee to work with Julie (the neighbor who initially contacted the commission) on finding a suitable location and tree. All in favor, motion passed. - Update from Housatonic (Who's Atonic) Committee – Sarah Parker: Sarah Parker, chair of the committee, provided an update on six primary goals for 2026, focusing on three relevant to parks: (1) hosting three community events (Halloween, winter lights, Party in the Park on June 13, Earth Day Cleanup on April 25 from 11-4, Berkshire Busk on July 18, and a long table event in August); (2) advancing local trail and canopy restoration, including a tree sponsorship program that raised over $3,000 and plans to plant 38 trees; (3) improving public outdoor spaces in partnership with the Housatonic Beautiful Fund, including seasonal planter barrels, water access improvements, and temporary installations. Commissioner Bill noted the Housatonic Improvement Committee meeting had 36 attendees and was very engaged. The commission expressed appreciation and requested regular updates. - Other Parks & Rec Activities: Joe reported on a moon walk with the conservancy (30 people, bonfire) and a lake walk (10 people, 7°F weather, fire on the lake), demonstrating winter use of the lake. - Youth Engagement: Commissioners discussed creating a youth advisory board and inviting local youth to future meetings, building on ideas from a previous conversation. An RSIP staff member mentioned a youth mentoring day at the Boston State House and offered to reach out to interested youth from local schools. - CPC Basketball Court Application: Commissioner Bill asked for an update on the Community Preservation Committee application for resurfacing and improving the basketball court. The project has not yet been approved by the CPC; a more detailed update was requested for the March meeting. - Facility Issue: Joe reported a frozen pipe at the athletic center; water was shut off to prevent further damage. Key Outcomes - Pick & Roll approval (with corrected end date of October 30, 2026). - Southern Berkshire Youth Football & Cheerleading approval for field use August 1 – November 7, 2026. - Memorial tree donation endorsed; to be coordinated with Tree Committee and Julie. - Discussion on volunteerism and compensation to be continued at the next meeting. - Youth engagement outreach to occur before the next meeting. - March meeting agenda to include CPC basketball court update and creative volunteer networking ideas. - Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM (motion and second, no vote recorded).

The Great Barrington Finance Committee met via Zoom on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered budget preparations, financial reports, Community Preservation Committee (CPC) recommendations, and preliminary discussion on a potential residential tax exemption and seasonal community designation. Multiple committee members announced they would not seek re-election, opening three seats for the May 2026 town election. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from December 16, 2025 were approved unanimously by roll call vote (5-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Vivian Orlowski: Requested correction to the residential tax exemption slides presented at the January 26 Select Board meeting, noting that the "seasonal" column in Emily’s scenarios was misleading because it also included year-round residents. She asked that a correction be posted publicly. - James: Expressed gratitude to Rich and Michelle for their service on the committee and noted he would save further comments for another time. Discussion Items - Committee Member Departures: Chair Rich announced this would be his last year on the committee, effective after the May election, citing personal reasons. Michelle also announced she would not run for re-election, and Ann stated that this is her final year as well. The committee will have three open seats; nomination papers become available February 11. - FY27 Budget Process Update: Town Manager Liz presented the budget calendar and process. She reported that on January 27 she met with department heads to review all 35 FY27 capital requests. Department heads will submit ratings by January 30 using a criteria-based system aligned with the town’s six strategic priority areas (infrastructure, public safety, sustainability, housing, economic development, municipal services). The Town Manager’s recommended budget will be submitted February 13, with joint Finance Committee/Select Board operating budget hearings on February 24-25 and capital hearings on March 3-4. A procurement audit contract is expected to be signed shortly and completed by April. External assessments (school, retirement, health insurance, veterans, ambulance) are still being finalized but preliminary estimates are conservative. - Review of FY26 Budget Reports (November & December): The committee reviewed year-to-date expenditures. Key points: - The $4.7 million court judgment on line “Court and Judgments” is related to a marijuana settlement. - Economic development line ($17K) is the Berkshire Regional Planning assessment. - Electricity and building repairs show high encumbrance percentages because blanket purchase orders are set for the full year. - Retirement fund amounts are quarterly assessments from the retirement board. - Snow and ice budget is being closely watched due to multiple major storms; the town can deficit spend on this line, and the manager will use a three-year average for FY27 planning. - The Town Manager noted she has limited authority to transfer funds between salary and operating accounts without year-end approval. - Michelle inquired about the process for reviewing over-encumbered purchase orders; Ali stated that holdover reviews typically occur in May. - Community Preservation Committee (CPC) FY27 Recommendations: The committee reviewed the CPC’s recommendations totaling $993,000. Projects include: $325,000 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, funding for Old Maids Park planning, playground court improvements, Housatonic UU Meeting House roof, Du Bois Freedom Center basement expansion, historic records preservation ($30K for assessment), Elmwood Cemetery monument repairs, and the Brown Mausoleum roof (also intended for future use as a columbarium). CPC received $4.16 million in requests but only $1 million in available funds. A $1.5 million request from Ramsdale Library was deferred due to uncertainty. The CPC can bond larger projects; past examples include the baseball field. - Residential Exemption and Seasonal Community Designation: The committee discussed the Select Board’s request for boards and committees to provide input by March 6. Michelle raised concerns about the split tax rate (used in Lenox) and the need for a break-even analysis. Ann noted the lack of data on second-homeowner ratios. Liz explained that East Ham adopted a 3% residential exemption as a pilot; exact impacts won’t be known until tax bills are issued. The committee agreed to hold a special meeting on February 17 at 5:00 PM dedicated to this topic, allowing members time to research and review materials. - School Finance Subcommittee: Tabled to a future meeting due to the length of the agenda. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: December 16, 2025 minutes approved unanimously. - Special Meeting Scheduled: February 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM for in-depth discussion on residential tax exemption and seasonal community designation. Members will submit individual questions/concerns to the Town Manager by March 6. - Budget Schedule Affirmed: Budget submission February 13; joint meetings February 24-25 (operating) and March 3-4 (capital). - No Final Decision on Exemption: The committee will continue its research and provide input, with the Select Board holding a public meeting on March 23 to review all feedback. - Meeting Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.