Public Meetings - Lee, Massachusetts

The Lee Select Board met on September 1, 2026, to approve minutes, hear public comments, receive an update from Green Theory Cultivation on odor mitigation, approve a one-day alcohol license, discuss a bylaw change regarding the Board of Public Works, waive an inspection fee for the Lee Youth Association, formally dedicate East Lee Park, table a purchase and sale agreement for 88 West Park Street due to a materially changed counterproposal, and appoint several individuals to positions. Minutes Approval - The board unanimously approved the open session minutes of August 18, 2026, including the joint meeting with the school committee and the regular select board meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - Kathy (last name not provided) expressed appreciation and gave a "shout out" to all who worked on and attended the grand opening of the Ninja Fit playground, describing it as "absolutely fabulous." - A Zoom hacking incident briefly interrupted the meeting; the board apologized to remote viewers and continued after addressing the issue. General Business - Green Theory Cultivation Update: Facility Manager Tirth Raval reported that the facility is currently growing but greenhouse four is shut down and greenhouse one is non-flowering; greenhouses two and three are the only flowering canopies. Harvest was completed on the meeting day, so no flowers are currently in the facility. New filters have been installed and the odor mitigation protocol is being followed. The company has finalized two companies for odor mitigation and is in communication with Mike Lennon to secure funding for the implementation. Mr. Raval stated he will have a "100 percent accurate answer" on the plan, costs, and timeline by the next meeting (proposed for October 6, 2026). The board accepted the update and agreed to reconvene for a full plan in October. - One-Day Wine and Malt License: The board unanimously approved a special one-day alcohol beverage license for the Taste of Lee event, to be held Friday, September 18, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM at the Lee Library parking lot. - Letter to Board of Public Works Regarding Bylaw Change: The board discussed proposed bylaw changes that would transfer some responsibilities from the Board of Public Works to the Department of Public Works, the Select Board, and the Town Administrator to improve efficiency. The board voted unanimously to sign a letter informing the Board of Public Works members of the proposed changes, which will be considered at the October 1 special town meeting. - Inspection Fee Waiver for Lee Youth Association: The board unanimously approved waiving the inspection fee for the Lee Youth Association. One member abstained due to a potential conflict of interest. - East Lee Park Dedication: The board unanimously approved a vote of dedication and signed an order of dedication for the 1.6-acre municipal property at 515 Chapel Street to be formally known as East Lee Park for park, playground, and public recreation purposes in perpetuity. The dedication ensures compliance with state grant requirements and Article 97 protections. - 88 West Park Street Purchase and Sale Agreement: The board reported that it had been negotiating a purchase and sale agreement for the property known as the Price Chopper property. However, the sellers provided a counterproposal that day that "materially changed the terms" and was described as "unrecognizable" from the expected agreement. The board unanimously voted to table the matter to allow time to review the new terms with the town attorney. - Appointments: The board unanimously approved three appointments: - Hunter Russa from patrolman to sergeant in the Police Department, effective October 1, 2026, based on his top test score and recommendation from Police Chief Stephanie Burdick. - Kathy Deverens as the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) housing authority representative. - Lisa Sloan as an at-large CPC member. Key Outcomes - The board will receive a complete odor mitigation plan from Green Theory Cultivation at the October 6, 2026, meeting. - The board will review the counterproposal for 88 West Park Street and consider next steps. - The proposed bylaw changes affecting the Board of Public Works will be placed on the warrant for the October 1 special town meeting. - All appointments and approvals were effective immediately. Other Business - The board reminded that an MPO designee meeting is scheduled for September 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM. - The board offered an opportunity for public comment via Zoom after the hacking incident, but no one responded. The meeting adjourned.

The Lee Conservation Commission met on August 19, 2026. No formal agenda or minutes were available for this summary, so it is based solely on the meeting transcript. The commission approved prior minutes, reviewed correspondence, acted on a tree-cutting request and two notices of intent, and began discussing a possible local bylaw to supplement the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Consent Calendar - The commission voted to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2026 meeting. Correspondence - Tom Brucecoff, environmental analyst, advised by email that a rain garden may be used for compensatory flood storage only if it meets the general performance standards, including an unrestricted hydraulic connection to the same waterway or water body. He noted that a depression-style rain garden can trap floodwaters and prevent unrestricted outflow, so any design must allow floodwaters to flow freely back to the stream. - Melissa Jacobs provided an update on GEP file 196-40498, the MassDOT rail bridge and Willow Brook culvert replacement north of Route 102. During excavation, the existing stone stream wall was found too unstable to maintain; the work plan is to replace portions of it with a riprap slope to tie the new culvert into the slope. The stream channel width and culvert design are unchanged, but minor additional buffer zone and riverfront impacts may occur. The field change was expected to be implemented before Monday so the tracks could open, and Epsilon staff were and would remain on site. - Commission members discussed other ongoing railroad work, raising concerns about the Mill Street ditch, use of a staging area, apparent concrete instead of promised stone work, bank damage from excavators, nighttime noise, and possible wetland fill. They asked staff to follow up on site conditions and permit compliance. Discussion Items - Scenic Mountain RDA – 50 Elf Drive, Gerald Siegel, Map 27 Lot 185: The applicant requested approval to cut two dead white ash trees, one about 15 feet from the house and one snag leaning toward the house. Both showed pileated woodpecker holes, but other dead trees remained for habitat. Members noted the trees were not in a wetland resource area, and one member said he would not be responsible for telling someone they could not cut a dead tree. A motion to approve cutting the two trees was made and seconded. - Continued NOI – 165 Housatonic Street: The applicant had not yet paid the 900 dollars required for the third-party reviewer to continue, and had not signed the form needed to open the account that pays the reviewer. The applicant representative, Brian, said the peer review was being held until revised plans are finalized through the Planning Board, and that the signature was a technicality. The commission discussed giving the applicant four business days to sign the form and submit the 900 dollars. - NOI – 705 Marble Street: The proposal is for a 100-car parking lot, a 26-foot by 30-foot bridge, a walking path, and a pavilion. No applicant appeared and no revised plans were submitted. A member questioned why a 26-foot-wide bridge was being discussed, stating it had never been approved and was overkill. A motion was made to continue 705 Marble Street until November 2; the transcript does not clearly record a second or vote. - Potential local Wetlands Protection Act bylaw: A member introduced a model bylaw and suggested protecting resources not currently covered by the state act, including intermittent streams, vernal pools, land subject to flooding below state thresholds, and small or man-made ponds. A buffer zone of 25 feet was discussed, possibly adjustable. Several members expressed strong support for the intent of the Wetlands Protection Act but raised concerns about adding another layer of regulation, private property rights, the many ponds and streams in town, and the need to avoid a rushed special town meeting. They agreed any bylaw should be developed carefully, with town counsel, for a well-attended 2027 Annual Town Meeting. Key Outcomes - Approved the minutes of August 5, 2026. - Approved the removal of two dead ash trees at 50 Elf Drive, with one abstention. - Voted to continue the pending NOI for 165 Housatonic Street to the next meeting; the transcript records the motion as 705 Marble Street, but the context suggests this was meant for 165 Housatonic Street because 705 Marble Street was then taken up as the next agenda item. - Discussed requiring the 165 Housatonic Street applicant to sign the account form and pay the 900 dollars within four business days. - 705 Marble Street was discussed without applicant attendance; continuation was proposed but no clear vote is shown. - Agreed to continue exploring a local wetlands bylaw, with no immediate warrant article; the next regular meeting is set for September 3, 2026.

The Lee Select Board met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The board approved routine items, heard public comment about the PCB disposal facility and the town's lawsuit against GE, discussed the central station siren and Berkshire MPO representation, and received an update on the town paving plan. No written agenda or minutes accompanied the source transcript. Consent Calendar - Approved the August 4, 2026 open session minutes unanimously. - Approved an updated agreement with the First Congregational Church that formalized the flag-policy and sign permission process and clarified DPW maintenance responsibilities. - Approved a waiver of inspection fees for Lee Public Schools and St. Mary's Church; Selectman Gordon recused himself because of his post-retirement employment. - Approved the disclosure for Anne LeBeer, a member of the 250th anniversary book committee who does professional book layout, finding her financial interest was not substantial. - Appointed Kristen O'Brien to the Community Preservation Committee as a member at large. - Appointed Emily Minkel, Mark Livernash, and John Parker as election workers. - Approved a temporary sign permit for the Lee Lions Club for 12 signs, each 18 inches by 24 inches, located 3 feet from the public way and 18 inches high, and waived the fee. - Approved a Berkshire Gas permit for new gas service at 235 East Street, with a police detail required. Public Comments & Testimony - Kathy Hall announced an open house at the athletic field on Saturday, August 22, at 9 a.m., saying the field looks wonderful and encouraging attendance. - Jim Castanegro, a resident living about 2,000 feet from the dump site, with the new main entrance about 1,000 feet away, expressed concern about wind-borne contamination, property devaluation, health risks to children, and the impact on his neighborhood. He asked what the town would do for area residents, suggested compensation and property tax relief, and said he would consider lawsuits against the town if residents were poisoned. He also said the town received $25 million and that he believed the money should help affected residents, claiming 85 percent of town residents agree with him. The town manager responded that the $25 million is in a stabilization account, that only the interest has been used so far to pay the public safety building bond, and that any other use requires a two-thirds vote at town meeting. Selectman Gordon said the money has been set aside for possible future assistance such as buyouts or relocation once impacts are understood, and he rejected the statement that the town of Lee is poisoning residents, describing the Rest of River agreement process as undemocratic but one the town had no choice but to accept. - Tim, a resident and former private lawsuit appellant, said an HRI-hired Williams College geologist concluded the dump site was the worst possible location because of cracked Stockbridge geology. He warned about PCB levels in air and water, citing a 20-nanogram threshold he considered unsafe compared with a 3-nanogram level in other EPA regions, and described a past EPA experiment in Sheffield showing contamination miles from the river. He urged the board to stay vigilant and continue fighting the project. - A man speaking about Christina Jones said she had repeatedly called police about construction noise, and said they are collecting a petition from people with COPD, heart problems, and those waking up coughing. He cited 5:45 a.m. steel sawing, Sunday construction, dust, fumes, and lack of noise mitigation, and said they are pursuing the Department of Environmental Protection, zoning boards, and the Board of Health. The chair ruled the comments out of order because the resident had not been notified and the matter was not on the agenda, but invited them to return to air their concerns. Discussion Items - UDF and lawsuit update: The town's representative reported that the town's lawsuit against GE is still awaiting a decision on remand. GE moved the case from Berkshire Superior Court to federal court, and the town is arguing it should return to Berkshire Superior Court. Similar cases, including the Cerno case and a Missouri case, may provide precedent. The case has not been dismissed, and the town's attorney believes the town has a strong case. - Central station siren: The fire chief has changed the siren schedule to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is willing to shut it off completely when the fire company moves to the new public safety building, with a possible exception for second-alarm notifications. The board cited a past gas leak incident where firefighters had to turn off phones and radios and the siren alerted them to another fire elsewhere in town. - Berkshire MPO appointment: Selectman Gordon explained that the August 25 MPO meeting was canceled and that a September 3 regional planning meeting will choose a representative and alternate for the sub-east Berkshire region. Gordon was willing to continue serving but welcomed interest from other board members; Selectman Sean said he planned to attend the September 3 meeting to learn more. - Town administrative report: Paving work on Greylock and Fuller is underway, including sidewalks and mill and fill work. The work will continue in the Davis and Highfield neighborhoods and Fox Run, followed by the Cliffwood Crossway area. The board reminded the public about the August 22 athletic field open house and noted the next regular meeting is September 1. Key Outcomes - All listed routine approvals and appointments passed unanimously. - No formal board action was taken on the UDF/PCB concerns or the GE lawsuit; the town will continue monitoring and await the venue ruling. - Jim Castanegro was referred to the Board of Assessors process for tax abatement and said he would speak with more neighbors before pursuing next steps. - The next regular Select Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The Lee, Massachusetts Planning Board met on August 17, 2026, for a continued public hearing on a proposed Marriott-brand hotel at 165 Housatonic Street, the current Pilgrim Inn site. The board reviewed revised parking and architectural plans, heard substantial public testimony, and voted unanimously to continue the hearing to September 14, 2026 at 6:05 p.m. No final decision on the special permit or site plan was made. Administrative Actions - The board tabled approval of the prior meeting minutes until the next meeting. - No correspondence was reported, and no early public comment was offered. Applicant's Revised Plans - The applicant presented a revised draft that increased parking from 80 to 90 spaces by converting parallel spaces to 90-degree spaces, removing some parking islands, pushing back a sidewalk, and adding spaces near the front and dumpster. - The applicant acknowledged that the added parking increases impervious surface and proposed permeable pavers to help manage stormwater. A revised stormwater plan is still pending peer review. - Architectural revisions included a fourth-floor mansard roof, additional brick trim, and clapboard-style siding intended to make the building fit better in Lee. The applicant described these as draft concepts. - The applicant submitted parking research and a Marriott corporate letter asserting that 90 spaces are sufficient for a limited-service hotel with no restaurant, banquet, or conference space. The applicant said the project is expected to have about five employees per shift and that occupancy is concentrated on overnight guests. - The applicant's attorney said the client wants to be cooperative and flexible. The developer said the investment would be north of about $20 million and agreed to explore a three-story, same-footprint option without a pool and with a possible room-count reduction. Board Discussion and Positions - Board members stated that the zoning bylaw does not base hotel parking on one space per room but on guest and employee capacity. Several members said 90 spaces are likely insufficient, with individual estimates ranging from about 95 to 110 spaces. They urged the applicant to use the adjacent southern parcel or reduce the room count. - Board members said they would not accept 20-foot parking aisles under site plan review and would require at least 24-foot aisles, especially for fire apparatus access. - The board questioned whether shared parking with the southern parcel is workable, calling it an unresolved wild card. Board members also wanted independent parking analysis rather than relying only on Marriott's opinion because of the applicant's economic interest. - Board member Peter Bloom summarized the five findings required for a special permit. He said four stories is a large height increase over surrounding one- and two-story buildings, although the design revisions helped. He also raised concerns about the management company's independence, construction-completion risk, and the proposal to extend the CBC district into R20 for parking, which he said he was not inclined to approve because it was unnecessary and could create an awkward zoning boundary. - Board members reviewed the prior balloon test; one member said the balloons were high but not as high as expected, while some neighbors strongly disagreed. Public Comments & Testimony - A nearby resident named Marilyn submitted photos of the balloon test from her backyard and said the height was appalling. She argued that the proposed 9-by-18.5-foot parking stalls and 20-foot aisles are too small for today's larger vehicles. She also contended that the proposed trash enclosure in the R20 parking expansion should be treated as a structure under Massachusetts law and therefore may not be permitted in a parking-only special permit area. She asked the board to require low wall-mounted lighting instead of 20-foot light poles. - A public speaker named Sam questioned whether five employees per shift can operate a 75-room hotel, noted that other Berkshire County Marriott properties are three stories, and called for a traffic study or peer review of the Route 20/Housatonic Street corridor. Sam also raised concerns about stormwater maintenance, rooftop equipment, backup generators, roof-screen height, and pedestrian safety. - A speaker identified as Mr. Nichols opposed the project. He cited existing health and safety violations and unpaid fines at the Pilgrim Inn, as well as a reported lawsuit involving the developer's Orchards Hotel in Williamstown. A board member responded that the article appeared to describe a complaint filed rather than a judgment. Mr. Nichols argued that the applicant should demonstrate responsibility and that the board should consider the long-term impact on neighbors and the community. - Another public speaker asked about rooftop air-conditioning noise, the height of rooftop screening above the 50-foot building height, and the location and fuel source of any backup generator. The speaker appreciated the improved architectural design and supported an indoor pool. Key Outcomes - The board voted unanimously to continue the public hearing to 6:05 p.m. on September 14, 2026. - The applicant must submit revised digital plans, respond to board questions on parking and room count, consider the three-story/no-pool option and southern-parcel parking, and address the 24-foot aisle and stormwater concerns. - No special permit or site plan approval was granted. - The meeting adjourned after the continuation vote.

The Lee Conservation Commission met on August 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The meeting was recorded. Members approved minutes from July 15, 2026, with minor edits, and addressed several Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDA) and Notices of Intent (NOI). Consent Calendar - Minutes of July 15, 2026: Approved with edits to note that Marilyn Wyatt participated via Zoom and to add detail about a small platform discussed at the previous meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items - 1375 Cape Street – Tim Williams – Dry Storage Building: Tim Williams requested permission to build a dry storage building over existing concrete blocks on a site within the 100-foot riverfront area of a brook. The site is approximately 85 feet from the brook. Williams noted previous restoration plantings (red twig dogwood, willow shrubs) were successful and the area is dry. A site visit was arranged for interested commissioners. The commission voted to proceed with an RDA (Negative 3) and a site visit. - 24 Street (Address unclear) – Brush Clearing and Sinkhole Fill: The property owner (on Zoom) proposed clearing overgrown brush and debris (including mattresses and TVs) within 10 feet of a building to deter illegal dumping, and filling a sinkhole near a stream with 5-6 inch stone. The site is a former brownfield. The commission expressed concerns about proximity to the brook and requested a 10-foot work limit from the building toward the stream, silt fencing, and preservation of a native tree. A motion to accept the RDA Negative 3 with those conditions passed unanimously. - 100 Tearingham Road – Business Investments LLC – Above Ground Fuel Tank: An RDA for installation of an above-ground fuel tank and 10'x4' concrete pad within the riverfront area and 100-year floodplain was presented. The installation was already completed. Commissioners questioned floodplain impacts and compensatory storage, but noted the area is flat and the tank is professionally installed. The RDA was approved as presented. - 165 Housatonic Street – Garden Management Inc. – Marriott Hotel (NOI): The applicant presented revised plans for a four-story, 74-room hotel. Key changes included a compensatory storage plan and planting plan. The commission requested additional stormwater review by David Cameron. Concerns were raised about the 10- and 25-year floodplain elevations and potential impacts of lowering grade for compensatory storage. The item was continued to the August 19, 2026 meeting pending the stormwater review. The commission also voted to invoke M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53G to allocate $900 for peer review services. - 705 Marble Street – NOI: This item was continued to the August 19, 2026 meeting for final submission of planting plans. Updates - Athletic Fields (Colby Project): The commission received an update on construction of athletic fields near the Housatonic River. Silt fencing and waddles are in place. The project is on schedule, with post installation and concrete pouring planned for August 8-9, 2026. A commissioner noted that a stake was broken but repaired. - Technical Assistance Grant: A commissioner noted a Massachusetts DEP Technical Assistance Grant opportunity (up to $20,000 per community, deadline August 28, 2026) for public involvement in contaminated site cleanup. The information will be shared. Key Outcomes - Votes (all unanimous): - Approved minutes of July 15, 2026. - Approved RDA for 1375 Cape Street (Tim Williams) with site visit. - Approved RDA Negative 3 for brush clearing and sinkhole fill at 24 Street with conditions (10-foot work limit, silt fencing, preserve native tree). - Approved RDA for 100 Tearingham Road as presented. - Invoked M.G.L. Ch. 44 §53G to fund $900 peer review for 165 Housatonic Street. - Continued NOI for 165 Housatonic Street to August 19, 2026. - Continued NOI for 705 Marble Street to August 19, 2026. - Next Meeting: August 19, 2026.

The Lee Select Board convened on August 4, 2026, to address public safety concerns on Mill Street, the operation of the Central Fire Station siren, an odor mitigation update from Green Theory Cultivation, and several routine approvals and appointments. Residents participated in public comment regarding traffic issues at the Mill Street bridge and a local tennis program. Consent Calendar - Approved the open session minutes of July 27, 2026 as written, after clarifying a date discrepancy on the agenda. (Unanimous) - Signed and approved the warrant for the primary election on September 1, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Crossway Village. (Unanimous) - Extended noise relief for public safety building construction and authorized the Chair to sign the response letter. (Unanimous) - Approved the proclamation designating August 22, 2026 as Ninja Fit Playground Grand Opening Day at Lee Athletic Field. (Unanimous) - Approved a temporary sign permit for Boston University Tanglewood Institute and waived the fee. (Unanimous) - Appointed Nate Salvini to the Zoning Board of Appeals, subject to completing required training. (Unanimous) - Appointed Peg Leclair to the Community Preservation Committee as the Affordable Housing Trust representative. (Unanimous) - Extended Francine Larson’s ZBA training deadline to October 31, 2026, due to the next in-person training not being available until October. (Unanimous) - Approved the installation of a new gas service at 455 Three Lock Street, including a police detail for traffic control. (Unanimous) Public Comments & Testimony - Claire (Lee resident, 110 Mill Street): Described dangerous conditions at the Mill Street bridge intersection, including frequent near-misses, honking, and verbal altercations. She stated her first preference would be to close the bridge entirely, but if not, to install a traffic light. She also proposed closing Washington Mountain Road to simplify the intersection, noting only three houses are affected. She informed the board that the Department of Public Works had trimmed vegetation to improve sight lines and asked the board to consider contacting MassDOT and residents about possible solutions. - Unnamed resident (neighbor): Stated she did not have a strong preference for or against a traffic light, but requested involvement in the placement process if one is installed, as it would affect her driveway. She noted that most drivers are courteous and she does not experience the same level of conflict as Claire. She also promoted the town tennis program for high school students, offering free scholarships. Discussion Items Mill Street Bridge Traffic Light - The board discussed long-standing safety issues at the Mill Street bridge, where one-lane alternating traffic has caused accidents and daily conflicts. Claire noted that one out of every ten interactions involves aggressive behavior. The bridge is structurally deficient and under frequent inspection; a full closure could occur if conditions worsen. MassDOT has recommended alternating stop signs as the current control measure. Installing traffic lights would be expensive and complicated by three intersecting legs (Mill Street, Washington Mountain Road, and a driveway). MassDOT has indicated they would install lights during the planned reconstruction expected next summer (2027), but the specific plan (full closure vs. one-lane construction) is still in design. - The board agreed to pursue further vegetation clearing to improve visibility and to contact the residents of Washington Mountain Road to gauge their opinion on a possible closure of that road to simplify the intersection. They also committed to following up with Lenny Tesdale (DPW) on the status of the project. Central Fire Station Siren - The board reviewed options provided by Fire Chief Brown for the siren, which currently sounds from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Options include: changing the hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m., adding a dampening device on the Main Street side (cost unknown), switching to air horns, using the siren only for second alarms, or phasing it out completely with a new building. - Members expressed a desire to maintain safety while reducing neighborhood disturbance. They noted that some residents missed the siren when it was broken, and cited a gas leak incident where the siren was the only effective alert when radios and phones were off. - The board agreed to ask Chief Brown to temporarily change the hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and to provide a formal recommendation on which option balances safety and noise reduction. The town administrator will coordinate. Update from Green Theory Cultivation (Odor Mitigation) - Phil Silverman (Green Theory) and Mike Lannon (Tech Environmental, the town’s consultant) provided an update. The facility has sealed three of four grow rooms to be airtight and shut down the fourth due to roof issues. They have installed additional carbon filter fans (6 per grow room, plus units in hallways and drying rooms). The team is shifting from positive to negative pressure for better odor control. - Lannon confirmed progress, noting that daytime odors have largely been eliminated, but nighttime and morning air expansion when the building heats up remains a challenge. He recommended a second-stage once-through carbon system to capture these events. A comprehensive odor management plan is being developed, with a draft expected in one month and finalization by the September meeting. The second-stage equipment should be installed by winter, before next spring when windows reopen. - The board praised the progress but cautioned against past management lapses where equipment was turned off to save costs. They requested a follow-up report in one month. Key Outcomes - Mill Street Bridge: Board directed staff to explore further clearing at the intersection and to contact Washington Mountain Road residents about a possible closure of that road. - Fire Siren: Board asked the Fire Chief to change siren hours to 8 a.m.–6 p.m. temporarily and provide a recommendation on long-term options. - Green Theory: Odor mitigation plan draft due in one month (early September), final plan by late September; second-stage equipment installation targeted for winter. Next update at the September meeting. - Noise Relief: Unanimously approved extension of noise relief for public safety building construction, allowing work to start earlier (6 a.m.) for concrete pours, within decibel limits. The highest recorded decibel level was 67, while passing tractor trailers reached 80. - Proclamation: Unanimously approved Ninja Fit Playground Grand Opening proclamation for August 22, 2026. - Appointments: All appointments approved unanimously as listed in Consent Calendar. - Gas Service: Unanimously approved gas line installation at 455 Three Lock Street. - Other: The Town Administrator announced that the Select Board’s alternate delegate seat on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is available; interested members should contact Klee at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The meeting also recognized artist Sharon Delorme for donating paintings for the meeting room.

The Lee Planning Board held a regular meeting and continued special permit hearing for 165 Housatonic Street at 6:15 p.m. The board approved prior minutes, heard updates on state zoning changes and a state land PILOT commission, endorsed a DOER representative designation, and took extensive testimony on the proposed 75-room hotel before continuing the hearing to August 17, 2026. Consent Calendar - Approved the July 13, 2026 regular meeting minutes as presented; motion by Peter Blum, seconded, with all board members assenting. - Approved the July 20, 2026 site visit minutes as presented; motion by Peter Blum, seconded by Dave, with all board members assenting. Correspondence & Reports - The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is drafting a new priority habitat map and is accepting comments through October 4, 2026. - The board received notice of a setback/dimensional special permit request involving a pre-existing nonconforming structure on Main Street in Stockbridge (referenced as the Red Lion Inn) for informational purposes. - Eagle Mill announced tours on August 4, 2026 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., with a formal program at 5:30 p.m.; board members commented positively on the completed brickwork and windows. Discussion Items - State zoning act changes: Planner Brooke reported that recently enacted changes to the state Zoning Act, effective July 13, 2026 and backdated to July 1, 2026, extend the nonconforming-use abandonment period from two years to four years and make other changes to zoning freezes, merger protections, and variance standards. The new variance standard adds “practical difficulty” beyond traditional hardship factors such as soil, shape, or topography, potentially including financial hardship. Brooke noted there is no case law yet and that training is expected; a board member said many local officials were caught by surprise because the change came through the state budget. - DOER consolidated permitting representative: The planning board endorsed the appointment of the town’s land use department as the town’s local government representative under the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Consolidated Permit Regulation. The select board had conditionally approved the appointment pending this endorsement. The motion passed with all members assenting. This step was needed for the DOER process ahead of the tentatively scheduled October 1, 2026 special town meeting. - State-owned land PILOT commission: Brooke reported on a recent public listening session about the state-owned land PILOT program. She noted Lee’s state-owned acreage is valued at about $9 per acre compared to roughly $400 per acre on Cape Cod. She is developing ideas for a valuation formula that could include development potential, ecosystem services, and social value, and will share her filed comments. The board discussed a possible February special town meeting for additional zoning work. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comment was offered on non-agenda items at the start of the meeting. - During the hotel hearing, Marilyn Wyatt said she had not yet seen the revised plans and asked for future public review. She presented research indicating Berkshire County’s average annual hotel occupancy is about 50 percent, below the national average of about 63 percent, and cited a 2023 downturn in hotel-specific spending in the county. She argued the county already has an oversupply of hotel rooms, questioned the tax-revenue benefit if the hotel is largely empty much of the year, and said a four-story building would be extraordinary in the CDC district. She also raised a discrepancy about impervious surface figures: she said the Conservation Commission heard there would be a reduction of 1,050 square feet within the 100-foot setback but an increase of 4,100 square feet within the 200-foot setback. The applicant responded that site-wide impervious surface would increase by about 4,106 square feet, but would decrease by about 1,000 square feet within the R20 district closest to the river, attributing the difference to definitions of riverfront area versus zoning district. - An abutter from a property on Floor Street, who said her family has owned the property for 42 years, said the hotel would be visible for most of the year when leaves fall, would diminish her view of the Congregational Church steeple, and that the failed balloon test and rescheduling created fatigue for abutters. She respectfully disagreed with the applicant that the revised design matches Lee’s historic downtown. - Another resident urged the board not to set a precedent by allowing a four-story building in a residential-adjacent area, emphasized preserving Lee’s character, asked the Conservation Commission to review stormwater and environmental impacts, and questioned whether the hotel would generate full-year tax revenue. - A speaker from Ford Street said he would like to see the project continue but with a competent operator. - Sam Patel said Berkshire County occupancy is seasonal and that the applicant’s 67 percent figure likely reflects a national average, not Berkshire County; he offered to provide Smith Travel Research data. He urged the planning board to require executed Marriott franchise and management agreements before approval, expressed concern about what would happen if the franchise or management company leaves, asked about screening and privacy for neighbors, disputed the applicant’s comparison to the Quality Inn by saying it has 46 rooms rather than 49, and said he supports a hotel but believes four stories is too high and a three-story building with a larger footprint would be preferable. Public Hearing: 165 Housatonic Street Hotel Proposal - Applicant update: Attorney Jeff Wynch, architect Mark Musaccio, and Ibrahim Zia of Garden Management presented. The proposal is a 75-room hotel with 80 parking spaces. The building would be 49 feet to the top of the structure, with rooftop mechanical equipment and screening excluded from height under the zoning bylaw. The applicant said updated elevation drawings are intended to better reflect downtown Lee’s historic character, the pool would be inside the building, and about 8,500 square feet of riverbank area would be landscaped. Conservation Commission review is scheduled for August 5, 2026; stormwater peer review is still pending; the ZBA hearing has been continued to August 27, 2026; MEPA review is not expected to be triggered; MassDOT did not require a traffic study but will require access and utility permits. The applicant is requesting site plan approval and special permits for the continued nonconforming hotel use, building height up to 50 feet, extension of the CDC district 50 feet into the R20 zone, and continued parking in the R20 zone. - Board discussion and concerns: Board members extensively questioned the project. They challenged the adequacy of 80 parking spaces, noting the bylaw formula based on maximum guest capacity and employees could require about 228 spaces. Board member Tim calculated 75 rooms with 104 beds, while applicant materials referenced 20 employees and a 67 percent average occupancy rate. Board member Peter said the planning board may have authority to reduce the parking requirement and cited industry research suggesting 90–100 spaces for a highway-oriented, breakfast-only hotel. The board chair said 80 spaces seemed insufficient and strongly encouraged the applicant to evaluate using the adjacent 185 Housatonic Street property for additional parking; Ibrahim Zia confirmed common ownership and said additional parking could be created in the backyard of 185, but no commitment was made. - Other board concerns included: the absence of a front-yard parking special permit application; parking stall dimensions of 8.9 by 18.5 feet; a 20-foot two-way aisle that board members said should be 24 feet; 22-foot curb cuts; fire truck turning radius concerns; missing dumpster enclosure details; sign dimensions and illumination; landscape species and tree caliper/installed heights; stormwater sheet flow toward the street and Starbucks property; need for rim elevations and grate details; utility capacity and flow testing; and need for a stormwater operation and maintenance plan. - Design concerns: Peter and the chair said the revised design still appeared block-like and lacked New England details such as cornices, dentils, contrasting window lintels, or a mansard treatment. The architect said the building would be mostly EIFS with brick on more than 30 percent of the front facade, a soldier course above windows, and that Marriott brand approval constrains major departures from the prototype. The chair said the design needed to be improved and that parking remained a major issue, adding that this is one of the most contested projects the board has seen. - Franchise and maintenance concerns: Tim and Sam Patel asked about Marriott quality audits, franchise agreement terms, maintenance responsibility, and contingency plans if the franchise or management company leaves. The applicant said a Marriott-approved management company would operate and maintain the property, but did not commit to producing the franchise or management agreements. Key Outcomes - The planning board approved the July 13 and July 20 minutes. - The board endorsed the town’s land use department as the DOER consolidated permitting representative; the select board’s conditional approval is now final. - The special permit public hearing for 165 Housatonic Street was continued to August 17, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. - A site visit for the balloon test is scheduled for August 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with August 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. as a rain date, subject to balloon delivery and weather. - The applicant was asked to provide additional materials, including a front-yard parking special permit application, more detailed landscape species and sizes, lighting and sign details, stormwater and utility information, fire chief consultation, further parking analysis using the 185 Housatonic Street property, and more information on franchise/management arrangements. - A special town meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 1, 2026, with a possible February 2027 special town meeting for additional zoning changes.

The Lee Select Board met on July 27, 2026 at 4:30 PM. The meeting covered approval of minutes, public hearings for utility pole relocations on Mill Street and Washington Mountain Road to support a MassDOT bridge replacement project, appointments, fee schedule adjustments, and various licenses and permits. The board also discussed special town meeting dates and other business. Consent Calendar - Approved the open session minutes of July 7, 2026 as written (unanimous). - Approved a one-day all-alcohol beverage license for the Lee Sportsman Association's annual club barbecue on August 22, 2026 from 3 PM to 10 PM (unanimous). - Approved a one-day entertainment license for the Lee Youth Commission's Ninja Fit playground grand opening on August 22, 2026 from 9 AM to 11 AM, rain or shine (unanimous). - Approved a gas installation permit for work in the road at 28 Woodland Road, Lot 7 (unanimous). - Approved the reservation of parking spaces on Railroad Street for roof debris removal at 71 Main Street, adjusted to August 3, 2026 to August 10, 2026 (unanimous). - Approved designating the 250th Anniversary Committee members as special municipal employees under Chapter 268A (unanimous). Public Hearings Mill Street Pole Relocation (Job 607677) - Public hearing opened for NSTAR/Eversource and Verizon to relocate two poles and place two new jointly owned poles on Mill Street. Abutters Claire and Marilyn raised concerns about notification (meeting was rescheduled), pole locations, and whether wires would cross private property. After reviewing an updated plan from MassDOT, the board assured that lines would stay within the public right-of-way. The board approved the petition contingent on receiving an updated plan from MassDOT to clarify discrepancies (unanimous). Washington Mountain Road Pole Relocation (Job 607677) - Second hearing for relocation of one jointly owned pole, moving it 40 feet closer to the Mill Street intersection to keep wires over the roadway. Claire asked about tree clearing and road shoulder stability. Jeff from MassDOT noted that separate tree clearing would occur for bridge construction. The board approved the petition (unanimous). Discussion Items - Clean Energy Permitting Local Government Representative: Brookeville, on behalf of the Planning Board, requested that the Select Board appoint the Land Use Department (land use personnel and conservation agent) as the local government representative for the new consolidated energy permitting process from DOER. The board approved the appointment contingent on the Planning Board signing the supporting letter (unanimous). - Conservation Commission Fee Adjustment: The Conservation Commission requested raising the application fee from $205 (two separate fees totaling $205) to a flat $300 to cover posting and mailing costs. The board approved the adjustment and will clarify the fee schedule on the website (unanimous). - Interpretive Signs for Lee Downtown Community Gardens: Katherine presented a proposal for a pollinator path with interpretive signs on town property (Academy Street and Franklin Street parking lot). The board approved placement of the signs on town property, with further coordination on permitting and DPW (unanimous). - Special Town Meeting Dates: Town Administrator Chris informed the board of needed special town meetings: October 1, 2026 for zoning amendments, and February 25, 2027 for a school roof project debt exclusion. The board acknowledged the dates. Key Outcomes - All motions passed unanimously. - Mill Street pole relocation approved contingent on updated MassDOT plan. - Land Use Department appointed as local government representative for clean energy permitting, contingent on Planning Board letter. - Conservation Commission fees increased to $300. - Interpretive signs for community gardens approved. - Special town meetings scheduled for October 1, 2026 and February 25, 2027.

The Conservation Commission of Lee met on July 15, 2026, to address several agenda items including determination of applicability, notices of violation, notices of intent, and a forestry plan review. The meeting began at an unspecified time and adjourned at 8:52 PM. Key decisions included site visits for two properties, continuation of public hearings, and a motion to ignore a minor deck violation. Consent Calendar - The minutes of the July 1, 2026 meeting were approved with minor edits after a motion and second. - Correspondence: None. - Public Comment: None. Discussion Items 1. Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) – 24 Street, Map 26, Lot 22 (Andrew Frita) Applicant Andrew Frita proposed trimming brush, removing debris, repairing a front wall, and filling a sinkhole to clean up the property. Commissioners expressed concern about the building's condition near a brook and potential contamination. A site visit was planned. Motion to continue the RDA pending the site visit and set a new deadline of August 5, 2026, passed. 2. Notice of Violation – 100 Cheeringham Road (Maravita Business Investments LLC) The commission reviewed the installation of an above-ground fuel tank and concrete pad in the riverfront area and floodplain without permits. The property owner explained they relied on the contractor (Maravita) to obtain permits, but the contractor did not. Commissioners discussed floodplain regulations and decided to conduct a site visit. They also required the owner to submit an RDA after the fact and voted to send a warning letter to Maravita. Motion to proceed with the RDA and site inspection was seconded and passed. 3. Notice of Intent (NOI) – 165 Houstonic Street (Bongira Project, represented by Brian Snyder) Brian Snyder presented revised plans addressing floodplain compensation and stormwater management. He detailed a cut-and-fill analysis showing net increase in flood storage (158 cubic yards) and improvements to the floodway by removing existing buildings. Public comment from Marilyn White questioned the claimed reduction in impervious surfaces and the accuracy of FEMA flood maps. Commissioners continued the NOI to August 5, 2026, to allow time for peer review of the new submissions. Motion carried. 4. Notice of Intent – 705 Marble Street The commission continued this item to August 5, 2026, without discussion. 5. Potential Violation – Platform on the Bank of Laurel Brook at 75 Debra Staff reported a small wooden viewing platform built on the bank of the brook. Commissioners noted it was minor and unlikely to cause harm. A motion to ignore the violation was made, seconded, and passed. 6. Forestry Plan Review – Horace W. Davis Realty Corp (Stand 1 & 2, multiple parcels) The commission reviewed a forest cutting plan covering approximately 111 acres with two stream crossings. Commissioners discussed the plan's compliance with DCR standards, the use of temporary bridges, and the selection for oak regeneration. A commissioner expressed concerns about incomplete landowner signatures and inconsistent address information. No formal vote was taken; the plan was noted as being signed off by the state forester. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes of July 1, 2026 (motion, second, unanimous). - Continued RDA for 24 Street to August 5, 2026, pending site visit. - Continued NOI for 165 Houstonic Street to August 5, 2026, for further peer review. - Continued NOI for 705 Marble Street to August 5, 2026. - Directed site visit for 100 Cheeringham Road; required submission of an RDA and issued a warning letter to Maravita. - Voted to take no action on the Laurel Brook platform violation (motion to ignore passed). - Adjourned at 8:52 PM.