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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Lee Select Board Meeting: Smart Meters, Pole Hearing, Housing (Feb 3, 2026)

Selectboard & Town Boards — Tuesday, February 3, 2026

BodyLee, Massachusetts

SessionSelectboard & Town Boards

DateTuesday, February 3, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:37:33

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

Alright, everybody, if we could uh cut the chat down and I'll call the meeting to order because and uh let's see before we get into our agenda.

0:14

I'll just let everybody know that pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30, section uh 30A, section 20.

0:21

I'm informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of this meeting.

0:28

So everyone's been a form informed, and with that we will um begin our agenda for tonight.

0:37

Our first order of business are the open session minutes from January 20th.

0:43

Is there a motion for approval?

Speaker 2

0:48

We accept the uh minutes from January 20th.

Unassigned speaker

0:53

I'll

Speaker 3

0:53

second down.

0:54

Uh the second.

Speaker 1

0:55

And unless there's any further discussion, I will call for a vote.

1:00

All those in favor.

1:02

Aye, uh next order of business.

1:06

We have a public hearing.

1:08

Um a hearing on a request from NSTAR electric company, Ever Source Energy, and Verizon New England to install two jointly owned poles on Woodland Road to decrease to decrease wire spans between poles and bring power to a new commercial customer.

1:34

So is this something you wanted to speak to at all?

Speaker 4

1:39

I'm sorry, I'm here for questions or I mean if you if you run across everything.

1:44

So

Speaker 1

1:44

yeah, so if you if there's anything you want to add at this point, I'll I'll give you the floor.

1:50

Um

Speaker 4

1:52

it's basically just

Speaker 1

1:54

come to the mic, please.

1:55

All right, yeah.

Speaker 5

1:58

Oops.

Speaker 1

2:00

Thank

Unassigned speaker

2:00

you.

Speaker 4

2:05

Yes.

2:05

So I'm Ryan Anderson and I'm an ever source representative.

2:08

Thank you.

2:08

Um so basically the whole reason for us uh installing these two in the polls is to make clearance for trucks to get in and out of this new commercial customer area.

Speaker 1

2:23

Understood.

2:25

Um so we have a map here.

2:27

Do you guys have either either of you have any questions?

2:31

And these are these are new polls to go in between two existing poles.

2:35

Correct.

2:38

Um yeah, I'll open it up to the board if they have any questions for you.

2:43

Okay.

Speaker 2

2:44

Bob, if I may.

2:46

Sure.

2:47

Yeah.

2:47

So I'm presuming that the new commercial customer is the uh is uh GE in the upland disposal facility because I'm not aware of any other new commercial correct.

2:59

So uh and to be clear, uh if it goes the way other utilities such as water lines and that sort of thing, doesn't really matter what this board says, that those polls are gonna go in one way or the other.

3:13

Uh

Speaker 4

3:13

well it does matter what the board says.

Unassigned speaker

3:18

Well,

Speaker 2

3:18

I would disagree with that.

3:19

I'm saying if we vote this we're voting this down, the polls are gonna go in anyway, whether we vote for it or against it, the polls are gonna go in anyway.

3:28

That's my point.

Unassigned speaker

3:30

The EPA step in the head.

Speaker 6

3:34

Wait, don't even think about talking about it.

Speaker 2

3:38

No, this is for the public, so they

Speaker 6

3:39

understand.

Speaker 1

3:42

Right.

3:43

And we don't want to beat you up over it.

3:45

No,

Speaker 3

3:46

this is this is the entity or certain,

Speaker 1

3:48

you know, that the service is sure being created for.

3:53

Uh

Unassigned speaker

3:55

I don't want to enter up.

Speaker 1

3:56

Yeah, I don't need to use that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety█████████████████████████████29%

Energy Regulation████████████████████████24%

Procedural██████████████14%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Parks and Recreation██████6%

Affordable Housing█████5%

Environmental Protection████4%

Public Safety███3%

Transportation Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Lee Select Board Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Lee Select Board convened on February 3, 2026, to address a public hearing on utility poles, a major presentation and public testimony on smart meter health concerns, several unanimous approvals, and town updates. The board voted to continue the pole hearing for feasibility on undergrounding, sent a letter supporting state legislation on smart meter opt-out fees, and approved appointments, a housing project letter of support, and a hazard mitigation plan.

Consent Calendar

Approved the open session minutes from January 20, 2026.
Unanimously adopted the Town of Lee Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan.
Approved fee waivers for annual inspections for the Baptist Hills Baptist Church and First Congregational Church.
Authorized a letter to MassDOT granting permission for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crosswalk sign near the Sunoco station on West Park Street.
Approved a temporary extension of alcohol service and entertainment hours until 11 p.m. for Starving Artists Cafe on June 13, 2026.
Signed the Articles of Incorporation for the Town of Lee Affordable Housing Trust.

Public Comments & Testimony

Kathy Hall praised the town's "Neighborly News" newsletter, crediting the town administrator and his assistant.
Courtney Gilliard (Pittsfield resident, electro-sensitive) spoke against the Eversource smart meter rollout, citing health effects from microwave radiation, and called for a moratorium and free opt-outs.
Cecilia Dustack (Director, Massachusetts for Safe Technology) gave an extensive presentation against smart meters, citing peer-reviewed science on cancer, DNA damage, and neurotoxicity. She urged the board to pursue a moratorium and no-fee opt-outs.
Several other speakers during the smart meter discussion echoed health concerns, fire risks, and criticized Eversource's opt-out fee structure ($34.23/month), contrasting it with policies in Vermont, Rhode Island, and New York.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing on Utility Poles

Ryan Anderson (Eversource) presented a request for two new jointly owned poles on Woodland Road to serve a new commercial customer (GE/upland disposal facility).
Board member Bob questioned the board's jurisdiction over the matter. Another member expressed strong support for exploring underground installation due to the scenic road designation.
Outcome: The hearing was continued to February 17, 2026, for legal research on requiring underground lines.

Smart Meter Update and Legislative Letter

Jason of Eversource stated the current system already uses RF, the new meters can have radios turned off for opt-out customers, and the opt-out fees ($34.23/month) are set by the DPU.
Board member Gordon expressed strong opposition to the DPU and supported sending a letter to eliminate opt-out fees.
Board member Bob expressed confusion over conflicting scientific literature and questioned the public benefit of new meters over the existing drive-by system.
Outcome: The board unanimously voted to send a letter to the state legislature supporting bills H.3351 and S.2306 to reduce or eliminate smart meter opt-out fees. The Town Administrator was asked to research the town's authority to enact a local moratorium on installation.

West Center Canal Street Housing Project Support

Diana of the CDC requested letters of support for the affordable housing project at the former Eagle Mill site.
Board member Bob recused himself from the state letter due to a conflict of interest with his employment for the Commonwealth.
Outcome: Letter to the Board of Public Works for a 50% reduction in water hookup fees was approved unanimously. Letter to Undersecretary Katherine Racer supporting project funding was approved 2-0-1 (Bob abstaining).

Town Appointments

Michelle Bombardier appointed to the 250th Anniversary Committee.
Catherine McCormick appointed as associate member to the PCB Advisory Committee.
An Ad Hoc Stockbridge Road Committee was formed for 300 Stockbridge Road, consisting of Sean Renier, Chris Britton, Brooke (Town Planner), Thomas Wickham/Consolati, and Jamie Wickham.

Key Outcomes & Updates

Pole Hearing Continued: Continued to February 17 to explore undergrounding.
Smart Meter Letter Authorized: Unanimous vote to send letter supporting legislative elimination of opt-out fees. Research into a local moratorium authorized.
Housing Project Supported: Letters approved for funding and fee reduction.
Appointments Approved: 250th Anniversary, PCB Advisory, and Stockbridge Road committees formed/filled.
Town Awards: Wellness and Safety committees received MIIA state-wide awards, a first for a single town to receive both.
Public Safety Building: Construction has begun on the site with contractors J&J and Reifenberg.
Next Meeting: February 17, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Alright, everybody, if we could uh cut the chat down and I'll call the meeting to order because and uh let's see before we get into our agenda. I'll just let everybody know that pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30, section uh 30A, section 20. I'm informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of this meeting. So everyone's been a form informed, and with that we will um begin our agenda for tonight. Our first order of business are the open session minutes from January 20th. Is there a motion for approval? We accept the uh minutes from January 20th. I'll second down. Uh the second. And unless there's any further discussion, I will call for a vote. All those in favor. Aye, uh next order of business. We have a public hearing. Um a hearing on a request from NSTAR electric company, Ever Source Energy, and Verizon New England to install two jointly owned poles on Woodland Road to decrease to decrease wire spans between poles and bring power to a new commercial customer. So is this something you wanted to speak to at all? I'm sorry, I'm here for questions or I mean if you if you run across everything. So yeah, so if you if there's anything you want to add at this point, I'll I'll give you the floor. Um it's basically just come to the mic, please. All right, yeah. Oops. Thank you. Yes. So I'm Ryan Anderson and I'm an ever source representative. Thank you. Um so basically the whole reason for us uh installing these two in the polls is to make clearance for trucks to get in and out of this new commercial customer area. Understood. Um so we have a map here. Do you guys have either either of you have any questions? And these are these are new polls to go in between two existing poles. Correct. Um yeah, I'll open it up to the board if they have any questions for you. Okay. Bob, if I may. Sure. Yeah. So I'm presuming that the new commercial customer is the uh is uh GE in the upland disposal facility because I'm not aware of any other new commercial correct. So uh and to be clear, uh if it goes the way other utilities such as water lines and that sort of thing, doesn't really matter what this board says, that those polls are gonna go in one way or the other. Uh well it does matter what the board says. Well, I would disagree with that. I'm saying if we vote this we're voting this down, the polls are gonna go in anyway, whether we vote for it or against it, the polls are gonna go in anyway. That's my point. The EPA step in the head. Wait, don't even think about talking about it.

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