Great Barrington Special Town Meeting – June 29, 2026

The Great Barrington Special Town Meeting was called to order on June 29, 2026, with a quorum of 100 voters present. The meeting addressed several warrant articles primarily focused on appropriating funds from free cash and the stabilization fund for discretionary services, ambulance funding, litigation costs, and a postponed liability article. After debate and voting on each line item, the meeting concluded with all actions taken as described below.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fred Clark (388 Park Street) questioned why the town was revisiting items already decided at a previous town meeting, noting that the Prop 2½ override had failed and that the select board had cut the liability reserve to free up funds. He urged caution about future litigation costs.
• Charles Williamson (48 Blue Hill Road) opposed spending on lifeguards, skate park monitors, and other items, arguing the police chief could oversee those areas and the town is strapped for cash.
• Rayo Matsuzaki (Ten Lake View Road), a political science professor, presented a PowerPoint showing the decline in free cash from $11.25 million to $1.4 million, attributing part of the fiscal crisis to a $3.7 million drop in cannabis revenue from 2022 to 2025. She compared Great Barrington’s local option tax revenue unfavorably to Lenox’s steady income from room occupancy taxes, and urged the town to ask difficult questions about essential services and tax increases.
• Carol McClinchy (10 Beacon Hill, Housatonic) asked about potential savings on lifeguards since the season had already started, and was told any surplus would carry over to the next fiscal year.
• Deborah Menkoff (23 Church Street) spoke in favor of lifeguards, sharing a personal story about her child stepping on a fishing lure hook and the lifeguards’ quick assistance.
• Craig Panzano (3D on Road) questioned why the town was voting on lifeguards while spending $54,000 on a portable message board (which was in the previously adopted budget).
• Frank Gunsberg (26 Hemlock Hill) urged support for lifeguards and the skate park monitor, calling Great Barrington “the real life Bedford Falls” and noting the importance of maintaining community character.
• Eric Brun (264 Main Street), president of Railroad Street Youth Project, spoke in favor of the skate park monitor, describing it as a program for at-risk teenage boys that provides structure and safety.
• Frank Gunsberg also spoke on the Housatonic Waterworks legal fees, criticizing the state and federal government for not intervening, and suggested sending bottled tap water to state officials.
• Eric Gabriel (1052 Main Street, Housatonic) clarified that the $75,000 vote was to continue the legal process for valuation, not to purchase the water company. He corrected misinformation about the town’s offer.
• Sharon Gregory (32 Hollandbeck Avenue) gave five reasons to support the legal fees, including the need to own Long Pond, cost advantages of municipal ownership, interconnection benefits, and economic development.
• Deborah Herman (North Plain Road, Housatonic) spoke as a ratepayer funding both sides of the litigation, urging the town to use the money wisely and not underestimate the water company’s resources.
• Charles Ferris (Five Burning Tree) asked how any potential purchase would be financed. The select board responded that no decisions have been made yet; they are only seeking a price through the legal process.
• Dina Fisher (84 Cottage Street) questioned the effectiveness of the co-responder program and whether the town evaluates programs generally. Interim Police Chief Adam Carlato said the program is successful but could not quantify outcomes; Parks and Rec Commissioner Tim Payne noted that lifeguard and skate park programs provide monthly and end-of-season reports.
• Raymond Murray (14 Hemlock Hill Road) supported the co-responder program, referencing a fatal police shooting in Hinsdale, MA, where a co-responder was not available.
• Richard Zucko (17 Highland Drive), a VFW member since 1965, explained the VFW’s financial struggles due to COVID closure and high utility costs, and requested $30,000 for the Great Barrington VFW.
• Charles Williamson opposed VFW funding, saying the organization does not support veterans as well as Tom Beasley does, and noted homeless veterans in town.
• Karen Smith (five Monument Valley Road) asked about ongoing funding for the ambulance squad and requested town oversight. The town manager confirmed a three-year contract with an oversight committee including the town manager, a select board member, fire chief, and two ambulance representatives.
• John Breasted (151 Christian Hill Road) and Forrest Hole (Pine Street, Housatonic) objected to the indefinite postponement of Article 2, arguing that litigation should have been disclosed at the May 2nd town meeting. Town Manager could not answer why it was not disclosed; Town Counsel Michael Dortenzio said the matter is in executive session.
• Michelle LeBaire (Finance Committee) defended herself against accusations of lying, stating she had opposed the Prop 2½ override publicly because of the procurement audit.

Discussion Items

Article 1: Discretionary Services and Community Partnership Investments ($341,964 from free cash)

The moderator divided Article 1 into seven separate items for discussion and vote:

1. Lifeguards ($61,285) – After debate on need and budget details, the motion passed (time 6:30 PM). Finance committee recommended yes; select board voted 4-1 in favor.

2. Skate Park Monitor ($32,679) – Supported by Railroad Street Youth Project. Motion passed (6:34 PM). Finance committee unanimous yes; select board 3-2 in favor.

3. Housatonic Waterworks Legal Fees ($75,000) – Debate focused on the necessity of continuing the valuation process. Finance committee split 2-2, making no recommendation (effectively zero). A secret ballot was requested but fewer than 20 voters supported it. Motion passed (6:50 PM).

4. Co-responder Program ($100,000) – Police Chief described the mental health clinician’s role. Motion passed (6:56 PM). Finance committee unanimous yes.

5. Parking Enforcement Officer ($20,000) – Chief noted the program nearly pays for itself ($23,882 in revenue in CY2025). Motion passed (6:57 PM).

6. VFW Property Lease – Great Barrington ($30,000) – Speakers supported the VFW’s community role. Motion passed (7:02 PM).

7. American Legion & VFW Housatonic Leases ($23,000) – Clarified as $11,500 each for shared space. Motion passed (7:04 PM).

Article 4: Ambulance Services Funding ($86,899 from free cash for Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad)

This article was advanced after Article 1. The motion amended the wording to specify the purpose. Chief Kevin Wallace explained the funds are the remainder of their FY27 budget request. A three-year contract with an oversight committee is pending signature upon approval. The motion passed (7:11 PM).

Article 2: Potential Capital Project Liabilities (Street Reconstruction) – Indefinitely Postponed

The select board moved to indefinitely postpone Article 2, which would have appropriated funds for potential claims related to the 2024 street reconstruction project. Several speakers objected, citing a lack of transparency about pending litigation filed by the contractor in April 2026. The town manager and counsel could not provide public details due to executive session. After debate, the motion to postpone carried (7:27 PM).

Article 3: Procurement Litigation Funding ($200,000 from stabilization fund)

The select board recommended using stabilization funds for legal, consulting, and expert analysis costs related to procurement issues. Finance committee member Rayo Matsuzaki explained that unlike Article 2, this funds current litigation rather than setting aside future liabilities. A two-thirds vote was required and achieved; the motion passed (7:31 PM).

Key Outcomes

• Article 1 (7 items): All seven appropriations from free cash passed individually as described above.
• Article 4: $86,899 from free cash approved for ambulance services, contingent on a signed contract with oversight.
• Article 2: Indefinitely postponed, meaning no appropriation was made at this time. The select board will return to a future town meeting if needed.
• Article 3: $200,000 from the stabilization fund approved by a two-thirds vote for procurement-related legal and consulting fees.
• The meeting was adjourned after all business was completed.