Select Board finalizes fall warrant, shelves berm vote
Select Board · Meeting of September 29, 2026
Shutesbury Select Board finalizes fall town meeting warrant, punts on divisive highway berm. The board voted unanimously to sign the 10-article October 17 Special Town Meeting warrant, including new short-term-rental "community impact fee" articles, and to move early voting that day to the elementary school. Board of Assessors member George won approval to hold the senior means-tested tax exemption at 50 percent of the circuit breaker credit, covering $11,522 in credits for eight households at roughly $8 per residential taxpayer.
The board declined to accept a Franklin Regional Council of Governments report recommending removal of a volunteer-built garden berm blocking highway garage sightlines, instead forming an ad hoc committee after garden advocate Melissa argued the report exceeded its scope and lacked library input. "It really is just a safety issue to me," said Highway Superintendent Dave. Town Administrator Haley was also designated the town's point person for new state clean-energy permitting rules taking effect October 1.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,839 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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