Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Lee Select Board met on March 17, 2026, to address a series of resolutions, a proposed moratorium on renewable energy systems, routine approvals, and discussions on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting warrant. All votes taken during the meeting were unanimous.
No members of the public offered comments during the open comment period.
Farmland Protection Plan Letter of Commitment Town Planner Brooke presented a letter of commitment for a grant via the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) to create a Farmland Protection Plan, a pilot initiative for Lee, Williamstown, and Adams. The Plan would inventory farmland and develop preservation strategies. The town's Agricultural Commission supports the effort. Board member Bob questioned the tangible outcomes; the Town Planner explained the plan would support grant applications and provide a strategic tool. The Board unanimously approved the letter.
Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) Resolution The Town Planner, alongside John from Mass Audubon, presented a resolution to eliminate the use of SGARs on town property. John detailed the risks of bioaccumulation in the food chain, affecting raptors and domestic animals. The Board noted the town's current practice of not using these products and unanimously passed the resolution to formalize this policy and encourage integrated pest management (IPM) town-wide.
Large-Scale Renewable Energy Moratorium The Town Planner recommended a temporary moratorium (six months or until bylaw adoption) on large-scale photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems (BESS). She cited a lack of finalized state guidance and a regulatory gap where state protections supersede outdated local bylaws. Board member Bob expressed concern about clear-cutting for energy projects serving eastern Massachusetts and supported the moratorium. The Board voted unanimously to support the temporary moratorium, which will be forwarded to the Planning Board for the Town Meeting warrant.
Smart Meter Moratorium Resolution The Board unanimously approved a resolution requesting a moratorium on wireless smart meter installations by Eversource. The resolution cites resident concerns about radiofrequency (RF) radiation health impacts, consumer privacy, and the financial burden of opt-out fees. It urges an opt-in program and calls for a public forum, scheduled for March 23rd.
Upcoming Events and Town Meeting Announcements Town Administrator Chris announced a Smart Meter Forum on March 23rd (6:00 PM, High School Auditorium) and a Central Fire Station Reuse Informational Session on March 26th (6:00 PM, Middle/High School Cafeteria). A draft warrant with approximately 26 to 27 articles, including the operating budget, capital budget, and zoning articles, was distributed. A formal warrant discussion is scheduled for the Board's April 7th meeting.
Right. Call the meeting to order. Welcome to the Lee Board of Selectman meeting. It is March 17th, 7 o'clock. And before we get started, I'll let everyone know that pursuant to mass general law, Chapter 30A, Section 20, informing all attendees that a video and an audio recording is being made. So you are all aware. First order of business, we have the open session minutes for March 3rd. Is there a motion for approval? Mr. Chairman moves that we uh accept the minutes from uh March 3rd meeting. Okay, and I'll second any further discussion. Hearing on all those in favor. Next order of business is public comment, which is a chance for anybody of the public to comment on line item of the agenda or anything other town business. I don't there's nobody on Zoom, right? No, just check in. Nobody in person is stepping forward, so we will move on. Our first order of general business is farmland protection plan. Letter we have a letter of commitment, and I see our town planners coming forward. We have a few items from you tonight, so why don't you get us started? Yes, the first item business, like you said, is the farmland protection act letter of commitment. Um this is going to be hopefully done for the RPC. This is a letter of commitment for a grant that BRPC will be applying for us. That's due to the end of this week. This is a hopefully the creation of a farmland protection plan. So it's essentially like our OSRP plan or our master plan or complete streets plan. You know, it's it's something that we can put in our toolbox to use as we start going you know further down the line, um, especially regarding protecting farmland in town. This is a brand new uh thing, basically. So the state did have farmland protection and farmland action items. This was an idea that FERCOG and BRPC have worked together to create. So nobody in Berkshire County yet, or I believe in Massachusetts, but I know Berkshire for sure has done anything like this. Um BRPC, I believe, is going to run this firstly with us with Williamstown with Adams. Those are the three communities as far as I'm aware that they were at least starting to look into to see if the communities were interested. Personally, I think it's a fantastic idea. I think that Lee has always been proud to have agriculture in town. We still do, we always have. This is something that I know is a big part of the community of Lee. It's a big part of our identity, we don't want to lose it. And as we start, you know, going forward. I mean, I can just say in my lifetime, I've definitely seen percentages of farmlands, agriculture, in rural areas dwindle. Um, there's not as much support for farmland, for agriculture, for farmers, and uh we're also having competing issues with interest with um you know different brand use values at the same time. So we are seeing farmland across the country disappear, go away, you know, be used for other projects, other buildings, um and so I definitely think it's a great idea for us to go forward, have VRPC help us create a farmland protection plan, which will you know inventory problem that we have, and then discuss ways to save it, strategies to use. Um, ag commission is in support of this. They did sign a letter of support for VRPC, and um they can use this too going forward recently. Um agriculture and resources, as well as just the state in general has done a lot more updates of what um agcoms can and can't do. So definitely having this be a tool for them as well for you know helping out farmers for potentially buying or putting agriculture restrictions on property. There's a lot more that agcoms can do um as long as the town can do to support farmland and having this protection plan is a great tool for our toolbox.