2026 Annual Town Meeting of Lenox, Massachusetts - May 7, 2026

The 2026 Annual Town Meeting convened at 7:25 PM on May 7, 2026, in Lenox, Massachusetts, with a quorum present and a large turnout of residents. Town Moderator John McNinch presided, and the meeting used electronic clickers for all votes. Key presentations included a fiscal overview from Town Manager Jay Green and detailed budget presentations from the Select Board and School Committee. All 16 warrant articles were approved, with votes ranging from unanimous to a two-thirds vote on the tower lease article. The meeting also featured public comments on school budget sustainability, community preservation funding, and a proposed cell tower lease.

Public Comments & Testimony

• School Budget (Article 3): Mark Amy (4 Evergreen Trail) thanked officials for their hard work and expressed concern that the rate of school budget growth is not sustainable for some taxpayers, particularly retirees.
• Community Preservation Projects (Article 8): A resident asked about reimbursement mechanisms for projects relying on grants and whether CPC funds would be used as matching funds. CPC Chair Tom Delasco clarified that CPC is a reimbursement program and that applicants typically have multiple funding sources. A separate question about the annual CPC revenue was answered: the 3% surcharge generates approximately $481,257.22, plus a variable state match.
• Tower Lease (Article 15):
  • Mark Amy shared a personal story of a serious auto accident on Route 7/20, stating that he was able to call 911 thanks to a cell tower near his home and urged approval to improve coverage.
  • Donna Colin (302) thanked officials for informational meetings but asked about expected coverage improvements, noting many dead zones remain. She suggested tabling the article for a comprehensive study.
  • Rich Leftwitz (142 Cliffwood Street) supported the tower but questioned whether $4,000–$6,000 per month lease revenue was too low, hoping for higher bids.
  • A woman whose home is near the public safety complex opposed the tower, citing health concerns for children at the nearby middle/high school and noting that studies have raised issues. She stated she voted for the complex but not for a cell tower.
  • Another resident supported quick approval, saying there is no cell signal in their home and that emergency communication is impaired.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager’s Fiscal Overview: Town Manager Jay Green presented the fiscal environment for FY27, highlighting budget pressures (5% utility increases, 8.75% health insurance), the town’s strong bond rating (AAA), and reserve positions: free cash $5.1 million, general stabilization $825,000, debt service stabilization $2.2 million, OPEB $10 million, water enterprise retained earnings $1.2 million, wastewater $367,000, and Resta River Settlement Fund $26.9 million. The total town spending for FY27 is $44 million (12M operating, 19M school, 3M capital, 4.7M enterprise, 1.1M CPA). The tax levy is increasing 6.8%, with a projected tax rate of $10.52 per $1,000 (last year projected $10.41 but actual $9.85). Median home value $543,800, estimated tax bill $5,721 (about $383 increase over last year). Green also noted $56,000 in broadband grants, $136,000 for EV chargers, $1M+ CDBG for housing rehab, and a $1.6M Housing Works Infrastructure grant. Pending grants total $8.5 million, including $7 million for bridge rehabilitation.
• School Budget (Article 3): School Committee Chair Oren Cass and Vice Chair Mike DuPont presented the FY27 school budget of $19,353,258 (including $200,000 from free cash). Cass highlighted promotions from within, collaborative contract negotiations, successful grant writing, technology reviews, and capital needs planning. DuPont detailed budget drivers: $444,000 in mandated expenditures (out-of-district placements, transportation) and nearly $500,000 in benefits increases. Long-term capital needs include roofs ($5.2M), Duffin Theater AC ($350,000), locker rooms, science wing, and parking lots. FY27 capital projects include gym roof repair, Morris second-floor AC, playground, sound system, Chromebook replacements, and new school entries.
• Capital Plan (Article 6): The article combined departmental capital expenditures totaling $3,096,145 from free cash, with no impact on the tax levy. Items included $325,000 for town buildings, $125,000 for police, $900,000 for schools, $760,000 for highways, and others.
• Community Preservation Projects (Article 8): CPC Chair Tom Delasco presented six recommended projects: (1) Friends of the Lenox Meeting House interior preservation ($229,783 CPC grant), (2) Home Farm Phase II Jacques Barn restoration ($100,000), (3) The Mount drainage and accessibility improvements ($55,000), (4) Ventfort Hall carriage house roof restoration ($138,000), (5) Penrose 283 Pittsfield Road affordable housing ($500,000), and (6) Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary climate-resilient trails ($75,000). Total CPC requested: $1,097,783.
• Tower Lease (Article 15): Select Board member Neil Max Million explained that the communications tower at the public safety complex has available space, and the town seeks authorization to negotiate leases with vendors. Expected revenue $4,000–$6,000 per month, which could cover operating costs. The article required a two-thirds vote. After public comments, a motion to call the question was approved, and the article passed.
• Zoning Amendment (Article 16): Planning Board Chair Tom Delasco presented a housekeeping amendment to Section 10.2.4 of the Gateway Mixed-Use Development Overlay District to clarify site plan approval jurisdiction. The planning board had approved the change.

Key Outcomes

• Article 1 (Waive Reading): Carried unanimously.
• Article 2 (Town Operating Budget): $12,428,605 (including $500,000 from free cash). Carried.
• Article 3 (School Budget): $19,353,258 (including $200,000 from free cash). Carried.
• Article 4 (Sewer Enterprise): $3,101,675 (funded by user charges, retained earnings, and $400,000 free cash for debt service). Carried.
• Article 5 (Water Enterprise): $1,635,369 (funded by user charges and retained earnings). Carried.
• Article 6 (Capital Expenditures): $3,096,145 from free cash. Carried.
• Article 7 (CPC Annual Funding): Appropriations to reserves (historic preservation $179,433, community housing $179,433, open space/recreation $179,433, administration not listed). Carried.
• Article 8 (CPC Projects): Six projects approved totaling $1,097,783 from the CPC fund. Carried.
• Article 9 (Chapter 90 Grant Acceptance): $443,976.52 for road work. Carried.
• Article 10 (Fire Engine Stabilization): $150,000 from free cash. Carried.
• Article 11 (Ambulance Stabilization): $150,000 from free cash. Carried.
• Article 12 (Debt Stabilization): $150,000 from free cash. Carried.
• Article 13 (Prior Year Bills): $4,738.42 from free cash (required four-fifths vote). Carried.
• Article 14 (Veterans Property Tax Exemption): Adoption of MGL Ch. 59, §5, Clause 22G. Carried.
• Article 15 (Tower Lease Authorization): Passed by two-thirds vote: 296 yea, 28 nay.
• Article 16 (Zoning Bylaw Amendment): Carried.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after final announcements, including noting that town elections will be held on Monday.