Great Barrington Select Board Strategic Priorities Review Workshop - August 4, 2026

The Select Board convened at 5:00 PM to review and refine the town's strategic priorities, focusing on housing, sustainability and environment, economic development, and municipal service delivery. Key decisions included moving the residential tax exemption to a lower priority tier and adding bike/walkability and Lake Mansfield water quality to the plan. The board also agreed to explore a housing production plan and earlier budget conversations with the school district and Berkshire Health Group. The meeting included public comments from residents raising concerns about the Rest of River cleanup, aging-in-place, and affordable housing planning.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Madonna Mar (3 Alford Road), speaking as a Finance Committee member and CPA board member, called for more action on the school budget, Housatonic Water Works, bridges, and the Rest of River PCB cleanup, stating that citizens want action, not talk. She criticized the strategic planning process as sometimes being lip service.
• James Garzone (84 North Land Road) supported bike/walkability initiatives, noting the economic potential of cycling events. He opposed keeping the residential tax exemption (RTE) as a priority since it was voted down at town meeting. He urged action on the South County Connector and expressed concern about future tax increases and the Rest of River pollution.
• Donna Jacobs (260 Park Street) expressed concern about proposed affordable housing on a vacant field in the historic district, emphasizing the need for a housing production plan and transparent analytics from the Affordable Housing Trust. She noted that the Prosperity Wave program has been a bust for locals due to income restrictions.
• Michelle Luber (70 Division Street), a Finance Committee member, highlighted the impending economic impact of the Rest of River cleanup on Housatonic and downstream areas, the need for aging-in-place support, and better coordination between town and school finance committees.

Discussion Items

• Housing: The board reviewed core priority areas including affordable/workforce housing, aging in place, seasonal communities, and the residential tax exemption (RTE). Town Manager Liz noted that the Planning Board has been tasked with zoning changes for seasonal communities, and a year-round housing trust may be merged with the existing Affordable Housing Trust. The board discussed the failed RTE citizen petition at special town meeting; Phil Garfield wanted to keep it as a priority, while Bill and Steve argued it should be lowered. A motion to move RTE from core priority to supporting priority (tier 3) passed unanimously. The board also discussed the need for a housing production plan and a possible housing coordinator. Town Manager Liz suggested examining in-house restructuring or grant-funded options rather than hiring new staff, supported by Garfield and Steve. The board agreed to explore these options, with a preference for using existing staff or grants.
• Sustainability and Environment: The board noted that Reed's Cleaners remediation continues with testing to be finalized; an update may come to the board in September. The composting pilot program was discontinued due to lack of staff. Steve moved to add bike and walkability as a tier 2 priority, and Lake Mansfield water quality as a priority under sustainability. The open space and recreation plan, recently adopted, was moved from tier 3 to tier 1 (implementation). All agreed to these changes.
• Economic Development: Hooks Garage – the RFP is reportedly close to completion. The sign bylaw was discussed; currently not enforced due to possible strictness. The board agreed to move it from tier 1 to tier 2, focusing on reviewing and possibly revising the bylaw with stakeholder input. Downtown parking was briefly discussed; the board decided to let Town Manager Liz examine it when time allows. Under small business assistance, the board discussed improving permitting processes and better coordination with One Berkshire and the Chamber of Commerce.
• Municipal Service Delivery: Liz updated on professional development (contract with MMA and Suffolk University), town website improvements, committee vacancies, and a planned communications plan. The public safety staffing plan was discussed; the board agreed to broaden it from police to include fire department retention and recruitment, keeping it as tier 2. The board reviewed updates to select board policies by the policy subcommittee.
• Finance and Budget: The discussion centered on the school district budget and Berkshire Health Group costs. Phil advocated for earlier conversations with the school district and health group, starting in September, rather than waiting for the budget to arrive. The board agreed to pursue those conversations as an action item, separate from the strategic plan document. The need to amend the financial policy was noted but deferred to the Finance Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on RTE: Unanimously approved moving the residential tax exemption from core priority (tier 1) to supporting priority (tier 3).
• Additions to Strategic Plan: Bike and walkability added as tier 2; Lake Mansfield water quality added under sustainability; open space and recreation plan implementation elevated from tier 3 to tier 1.
• Sign Bylaw: Moved from tier 1 to tier 2.
• Housing Production Plan and Coordinator: The board directed the town manager to explore developing a housing production plan and to assess options for a housing coordinator (in-house or grant-funded), emphasizing existing staff resources.
• Budget Conversations: The board agreed to initiate early fall conversations with the school district and Berkshire Health Group to improve budget communication.
• Adoption of Revised Plan: The revised strategic priorities, incorporating changes from this workshop and the previous one, will be presented for adoption at the regular select board meeting in September (first meeting).