Deerfield Select Board approves building committee charter, defers kratom ban decision

WHATELY — July 8, 2026 — Deerfield Select Board approves building advisory charter and sewer relief, defers kratom ban. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a revised Town Building Advisory Committee charter proposed by committee chair Julie Chalfont, establishing a five-member advisory panel focused on building assessments and long-range capital planning. Acting as the Board of Sewer Commissioners, members also unanimously approved a $2,606.13 sewer abatement for OreFull Americas Incorporated at 12 Merrigan Way, removing roughly 100,390 gallons of separately metered irrigation usage from a two-year catch-up bill that had totaled approximately $50,000. Four remote public commenters urged regulation over prohibition of natural-leaf kratom, while Town Administrator Christopher Dunn recommended a total ban covering both synthetic and natural forms; board member Tim Hilchey said he was "a little hesitant to outright ban everything without knowledge" and the board deferred action pending a July 22 public hearing. The board also appointed Peter Lankowski to the building advisory committee for a three-year term, tabled a ZBA appointment pending a candidate interview, and heard ongoing resident concerns about traffic safety on North Hillside Road, where a speed feedback sign is already designated but no vote on stop signs was taken.