Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Great Barrington Select Board convened on July 6, 2026. The meeting featured the Town Manager's Report, approval of a driveway permit, appointments to town boards and committees, discussion of procedures for handling a complaint against a library trustee, an update on the State Road Bridge design project with two aesthetic alternatives, and a review of the 79 Bridge Street Hotel project including debate over special permit lapse. Members of the public offered comments on a range of topics including hospitality development, board procedures, property rights, housing, and infrastructure projects.
The board discussed procedures for an upcoming complaint against a member of the Board of Library Trustees. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 28, 2026. The board agreed to use the same ground rules used in a previous complaint (April 27, 2026). A motion to adopt those ground rules passed unanimously. One speaker in public comment later criticized the application of those rules as potentially violating town bylaws and charter.
We'll call the meeting to order. It is 501. Pursuant to mass general law 7C3820F. After notifying the chair of a public body, any person may make a video or audio recording of an open session of a meeting of a public body or may transmit the meeting through any medium. At the beginning of the meeting, the chair shall inform other attendees of any such recordings. Any member of the public wishing to speak at the meeting must receive permission of the chair. This meeting is being recorded by Berser Edge, CTSP in the town of Great Barrington. The listing of agenda items, those reasonably anticipated by the chair, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed. Any other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Bill, nothing. Nothing. Thanks. And I have nothing. Garfield's 10 minutes late, so we will be here. Okay. It is time for town manager's report. Thank you. Town manager's report for July 6, 2026. As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening procurement practices and ensuring staff have the tools they need to make informed purchasing decisions. I have coordinated an in-person, excuse me, in-person training with the Massachusetts Operational Services Division, or OSD. OSD is an oversight agency within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, acting as the central procurement hub for the state, managing COMBY's e procurement platform, overseeing over a hundred statewide contracts, which the town can take advantage of, and managing the state fleet and surplus property. The training will focus on the town's use of statewide contracts and the COMBIS procurement platform, providing staff with practical instruction on identifying available contracts, navigating the system, and utilizing state procurement resources to streamline purchasing while ensuring compliance with procurement requirements. All town staff who regularly obtain quotes, develop cost estimates, or assist with purchasing have been invited to participate. By expanding knowledge of these statewide resources, I expect to improve efficiency, reduce procurement timelines, and maximize the value of taxpayer dollars through greater use of competitively awarded state contracts. The application period for the town's inaugural community care team concluded on June 18th, and I'm pleased to report that the town received 16 applications from residents and community partners interested in serving on this new advisory working group. I've already begun conducting interviews with applicants to better understand their background experiences and perspectives. The goal is to interview processes to assemble a balanced team that reflects the diversity of our community while bringing together a broad range of professional expertise, lived experience, and community connections to support the goals of Trust Policy 2.0. The community care team is intended to strengthen communication, coordination, and partnership between municipal leadership, community organizations, and residents while helping identify opportunities to improve access to services and non-enforcement care pathways through Great Barrington. Following completion of the interview process, appointments will be made and the community care team will begin its initial one-year pilot program. I appreciate the strong community interest shown through the application process and look forward to working with individuals selected to help strengthen collaboration and community care initiatives across the town. The town's preliminary fiscal year 2027 property tax bills were mailed on June 29, 2026. The first quarter payment is due August 3, 2026, and the second quarter payment is due November 2nd, 2026. These preliminary bills are based on the prior year's tax rate as required by state law until the Massachusetts Department of Revenue certifies the town's FY27 tax rate. Once certification is received, actual tax bills reflecting the final tax rate will be issued later in the fiscal year. Residents who have not received their bill within the next two weeks or who have questions regarding their account are encouraged to contact the Treasurer Collector's Office for assistance. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of our employees who helped ensure a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable Independence Day weekend for our residents and visitors. Holiday weekends require a true team effort, and once again, town staff demonstrated their commitment to public service. Holiday weekends require a true team effort, and once again, town staff demonstrated their commitment to public service from police, fire, public works, transit, library, and other municipal staff who adjusted their schedules, responded to community needs, prepared public spaces, and remained available throughout the weekend. Each department played an important role in supporting the community. Whether working behind the scenes or serving on the front lines, Great Barrington is very fortunate to have employees who consistently step up when the community needs them most. Lastly, in the interest of transparency, I want to advise the board and the public that I have filed a disclosure under the Massachusetts Conflict of Interest Law, Mass General Law, Chapter 268A, Section 19 related to a personal real estate transaction. This is uh during this transaction, I have a financial relationship with individuals who have matters before the town. As a result, I will be recusing myself from any town business involving these individuals until the transaction is complete.