Great Barrington Community Preservation Committee Meeting – January 13, 2026

The Great Barrington Community Preservation Committee (CPC) met on January 13, 2026, to review and vote on 13 funding requests for community preservation projects. The meeting included discussion of a memo from new Town Manager Liz Hartscrew, which raised concerns about project readiness and prompted debate about CPC processes. All eight committee members were present, and the meeting ran over three hours.

Consent Calendar

• The committee unanimously approved the minutes of meetings on November 12, December 9, December 10, and December 18, 2025, via roll call votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Bailey (resident) strongly supported affordable housing and fiscal restraint, arguing that CPA funds should prioritize working-class needs and that some projects, like the Ramsdale Library expansion, are unaffordable for taxpayers. He stated that if it were up to him, he would end CPA funding or reduce it to 1%.
• Brush Lane (Chair, Library Trustees) defended the Ramsdale project, noting the library has not been updated since 1930 and is vital to the Housatonic community. She urged the committee to consult the library director and trustees for accurate information and expressed frustration with misinformation.
• Michelle LeBay (resident) spoke about the financial strain on seniors and stressed the importance of community benefit in CPA funding. She supported the no votes on private projects and questioned the town’s ability to afford both a new school and a major library expansion.
• Laura Mars (Library Trustee) emphasized that the Ramsdale Library is the only community space in Housatonic and needs to be preserved.
• The library director noted that the Housatonic branch serves many teens and tweens, underscoring its role as a community hub.

Discussion Items

Process and Ranking

Chair Karen explained that projects would be ranked 1–13 and labeled Full (F), Partial (P), or No (N) funding. Town Manager Liz Hartscrew submitted a memo 48 hours before the meeting, raising questions about the cost estimates and readiness of town-owned projects. Several members expressed that the memo caused consternation but also provided necessary scrutiny. The committee acknowledged the need to adapt to higher standards and discussed whether to leave some funds unallocated for future rounds. The deadline for CPC recommendations to align with the town manager’s budget is February 2, 2026.

Affordable Housing Trust

The trust requested $675,000 for down payment assistance and emergency rental programs. Martha noted uncertainty about whether previous CPA grants had been spent; Steve advocated for partial funding. The committee initially indicated partial support. Later votes allocated $200,000 (motion passed, tally unclear but approved), followed by a unanimous vote to add $125,000, bringing the total to $325,000.

Playground Improvements at Brubrisky Park ($165,000)

The project sought to resurface the basketball court. The town manager’s memo questioned the cost breakdown. Joe (DPW) explained that the budget was based on vendor discussions and that unspent funds would return. The committee voted unanimously to fully fund.

Shade Structures

The committee declined to fund shade structures; a motion to not fund passed, with some members citing budget constraints and the possibility of phasing.

Preservation of 1089 Main Street – Unitarian Church ($37,000)

A motion to fully fund passed 7-1.

Old Maids Park Engineering ($50,000)

Chris (CPC staff) explained the request for a baseline survey and cost analysis for future improvements, noting no immediate emergency. The committee voted unanimously to fund.

Town Historic Records Preservation ($50,000)

Josh (Town Clerk) requested $50,000 for a professional assessment of archival needs. The committee voted unanimously to fund.

Mason Library Painting ($210,000–$265,000)

The town manager reported an engineer’s concern about water infiltration and the need for leak testing before painting. She recommended against funding. A motion to not fund passed, with the expectation that the capital budget would include a leak investigation.

Cemetery Projects

• Elmwood Cemetery Monuments ($75,000): Discussion of alternative perpetual care funds, but the committee voted to fully fund.
• Brown Mausoleum ($91,000): The town manager identified potential cost savings via state contracts. The committee voted to fully fund.
• Cemetery Fences and Gates (Water Street and Mahaiwe): A motion to not fund passed.

Du Bois Freedom Center Basement Improvements ($200,000)

The project aims to finish the basement for community use. Some members argued it goes beyond historical preservation, while others stressed its importance as a historic site and community asset. A motion to fund $200,000 passed 5-3.

Ramsdale Library ($1.5 million over five years)

The application sought to fund historical preservation and accessibility as part of a larger library renovation supported by an MBLC grant. Extensive debate centered on the lack of a complete plan, the disposition of historic archives, and the ability to bond. The committee voted to table the application to a date to be determined, pending more detailed information and collaboration between the library trustees, Historical Commission, and town manager.

Key Outcomes

All allocations are subject to Town Meeting approval. Final allocations from the approximately $1 million available CPC fund:

• Town Historic Records Preservation: $50,000 (unanimous)
• Old Maids Park Engineering: $50,000 (unanimous)
• Brubrisky Park Playground Improvements: $165,000 (unanimous)
• Unitarian Church Preservation: $37,000 (7-1)
• Affordable Housing Trust: $325,000 (initial $200,000 passed; additional $125,000 unanimous)
• Du Bois Freedom Center: $200,000 (5-3)
• Elmwood Cemetery Monuments: $75,000 (unanimous)
• Brown Mausoleum: $91,000 (unanimous)
• Shade Structures: not funded
• Mason Library Painting: not funded
• Cemetery Fences and Gates: not funded
• Ramsdale Library: tabled
• 1100 Main Street Restoration: not funded (motion passed)

The committee allocated a total of approximately $993,000, leaving a small unallocated balance. Martha filed a disclosure of a potential conflict of interest because her husband chairs the Historical Commission. The meeting adjourned after public comments.