Skip to content
TownbriefFranklin County
Sign in Subscribe
Monday, November 2, 2026 Franklin County, Massachusetts · Change town
Government · Planning Board

Board releases 16 sets of solar bylaw minutes

The Shutesbury Planning Board voted unanimously to release 16 sets of executive session minutes tied to litigation over the town's solar bylaw.

Email Text Facebook X

Planning Board · Meeting of August 18, 2026

SHUTESBURY — The Shutesbury Planning Board voted unanimously to release 16 sets of executive session minutes tied to litigation over the town's solar bylaw. The board, led in discussion by members Ashley, Tom, Keith, Jeff and Michael, first corrected an agenda error over which Open Meeting Law exemption applied, with member Tom noting "I think it is number three and not number seven." Members then voted 5-0 to admit associate members Dean Gendron and Carl Lauter, plus staff member Mateo, into the closed session. After reviewing records from 16 meetings dated July 2024 through December 2025, the board approved and released all of them to the public, with Michael calling the process "a long road" now "officially behind us." The board's next meeting is set for September 14.

In the full story:

  • Who Was There
  • Organizations And Documents Referenced
  • The complete report — 1,756 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Members read the rest of this story and every Franklin County meeting we cover, in full.

Become a member

A 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms

Share this story

Email Text Facebook X

Know someone in Franklin County who follows town government? Share Townbrief Franklin County: they can sign up free.

Share this story

Email Text Facebook X

Anyone can open a shared story. Members' stories show the free part and a sign-up line to people who are not members.