Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Great Barrington Select Board met on November 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The meeting began with welcoming new Town Manager Liz Hearthgrove on her first day and thanking former Town Manager Chris Rembold. Members reminded the public of Veterans Day on November 11 and urged attendance at the November 4 election (11 AM to 7 PM). The board approved temporary beer and wine licenses for two events, authorized a $5.11 million bond sale, and debated the FY27 budget policy, ultimately removing a proposed debt limit amendment. A lengthy priority planning discussion reorganized the board's goals into tiered categories, with several new items added. Two citizens spoke on water filtration and a trust policy.
Okay, it's five o'clock. I'll call the meeting to order. Pursuant to MGL 7C30A session 20F after notifying the chair of a public body. Any person may make a video audio recording of an opening session of a meeting of a public body or may transmit the meeting through any meeting. Beginning of the meeting, the chair shall inform other attendees of any such recordings. This meeting is being recorded by CTSB, Berkshire Edge, and the town of Great Barrington. Any member of the public wishing to speak at the meeting must receive permission of the chair. The listing of agenda items are those reasonably anticipated by the chair, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed. It may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. So under 4C, which is a request for a temporary exemption from towns noise, towns noise ordinance. We that has been uh there's been a request to withdraw that because that work's been done. So we will take 4C off of the agenda. So I'll start with select boards announcements and statements. Um one very important is to welcome is Hearthgrove, her first meeting, her first day. She's still here. So we're we're very excited to have you here and welcome. Thank you, Errol. And uh equally is to thank Chris Rembold, who is happier than heck sitting in the audience, not sitting where you are. He did it. And we really appreciate everything you do. Then a couple people reminded me that November 11th is Veterans Day, and that sometimes that's overlooked. Uh maybe time of year, but it's important to recognize everyone who served. Uh, we have pictures here of those killed in action. And um, so just a reminder that November 11th is a very important day. Uh let's start with Phil. Nothing thank you. Uh just a thank you to everyone who came out who's tonic uh for trick treating trick treating about uh town all town uh last Friday, and to uh the police for helping make sure everyone was safe. Uh treating tonic and it's one of the best events I think that this town has. It's one of the just a beautiful example of what our community does. And uh and but uh tomorrow is uh voting day. I just want to use my time to say please vote. And remember that there's two ballots. There's two ballots, there's two ballots on both ballots. Thank you. Uh nothing, but isn't the channel closed on your 11th as well? It would yes. Uh just wanted to follow up with Ben and state of my full agreement on uh how fun Halloween is and who's a tonic, and it is just tons of families, streets are packed, and uh always a good time. And tomorrow get out and vote, 11 o'clock. The polls open and they are open until 7 p.m. So 11 a.m., 7 p.m. Please go out and vote. Thank