Belchertown
Upcoming
Select Board
The Select Board will hold public hearings for utility poles on Jensen Street and Old Enfield Road, plus a new restaurant liquor license at Cold Spring Country Club. The board will also review administrative requests including grant applications, a property deed acceptance, and sign placement permissions. The Town Manager will report on recent infrastructure contract awards, bid reviews for the Hop Brook Culvert and Water Reclamation Facility, and ongoing discussions regarding a potential water ban.
- Public hearings for utility poles on Jensen Street and Old Enfield Road
- ABCC public hearing for a new annual on-premises liquor license at 330 Chauncey Walker Street
- Award of repairs contract for the Jabish Brook Trestle Bridge
- Bid reviews for the Hop Brook Culvert Replacement and Water Reclamation Facility SCADA System
- Endorsement of LAND and PARC grant applications and acceptance of a 2.988-acre deed on State Street
Community Preservation Committee
The Community Preservation Committee will discuss a proposed change to a grant for window replacement/restoration at the Clapp Memorial Library. They will also review bills and approve meeting minutes.
- Discuss change to Clapp Memorial Library Grant for window replacement/restoration
Cultural Council
The council is reviewing past minutes and discussing details for the third flagship event. They are also planning Food Truck Friday, including a lemonade stand by BHS and recycling coordination with the Energy and Sustainability Committee.
- Food Truck Friday planning
- BHS Lemonade Stand at FTF
- Recycling discussion with Energy and Sustainability Committee
- Grants Reception planning
Select Board
The Belchertown Select Board is holding a special meeting to discuss and potentially adopt goals and objectives for fiscal year 2027. This is the only substantive item on the agenda, with the remainder being procedural.
- Discussion and action on FY-27 Goals and Objectives
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will review and vote on final FY26 Municipal Relief Requests, and discuss potential changes in the Massachusetts legislative budget that may add funding above the Governor's proposal. They will also approve outstanding meeting minutes.
- Vote on final FY26 Municipal Relief Requests
- Review MA legislative budget changes for added funding
- Approval of outstanding Finance Committee meeting minutes
Historic District By-Law Commission
The Historic District By-Law Commission will review a Certificate of Appropriateness for Clapp Memorial Library to restore 91 windows at 19 S. Main St. The commission may vote on the application.
- Certificate of Appropriateness for Clapp Memorial Library window restoration (91 windows)
Age & Dementia Friendly Implementation Group
The Belchertown Age & Dementia Friendly Implementation Group meets to approve minutes from April 22, 2026, and discuss potential new project ideas. No specific proposals or decisions are listed.
- Approval of April 22, 2026 minutes
- Discussion of new project ideas (details not specified)
Last 30 days
Select Board
The Select Board will hold a special meeting to discuss and potentially vote on assigning liaison duties to board members and establishing goals and objectives for the upcoming fiscal year 2027. No specific projects or financial items are listed on this procedural agenda.
School Committee and School Councils
The Swift River Elementary School Council will discuss end-of-year data, an update on the CSS move, and plans for the upcoming school year. The meeting includes approval of May minutes and an open forum for public comment.
- Approve minutes from May meeting
- Report on end-of-year data
- Update on CSS move
- Plans for 2026-2027 school year
- Open forum for public comment
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will meet to approve a schedule of bills totaling $1,714.99 and several monthly motor vehicle excise abatements totaling $3,236.97. They will also discuss old business including minutes from June 9 and an update on the Work-Off Program. New business includes authorizing a letter for FY2027 Gateway.
- Schedule of Bills $1,714.99
- Monthly List of 2026 Motor Vehicle Excise Abatements (6/22/2026) $1,600.98
- Monthly List of 2025 Motor Vehicle Excise Abatements (6/23/2026) $909.75
- Monthly List of 2026 Motor Vehicle Excise Abatements (6/24/2026) $629.25
- FY2027 Gateway Authorization Letter
Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Committee
The Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee is discussing the implementation of a Family Overdose Support Fund based on the Boston HALO model. The body is also reviewing funding applications and the status of several community health and wellness initiatives.
- Discussion of Boston HALO model for Family Overdose Support Fund
- Funding application from Meetopolis Wellness/Meetopolis Helps
- Honest Beginnings basement renovation and enrollment funding
- BOAT/BPS Drug Free Communities grant application status
- Potential partnership with Quabbin Health District for Clapp Library wellness program
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee will conduct routine administrative business, including voting on committee officer positions and reviewing progress on the town’s communication plan. Members will also discuss the rollout of an AI policy for local government, updates from the BCTV and Communication Managers, and improvements to the town website’s accessibility and functionality. The agenda contains no public hearings, zoning changes, or financial approvals.
- Vote on committee Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk positions
- AI policy rollout, UMass interviews, and intern program update
- Review of town communication plan ahead of July 2 Select Board presentation
- Discussion of Belchertown.org website refresh and ADA accessibility improvements
- Progress update on Community Summit volunteer questionnaire
McPherson Sensory Garden Committee
The McPherson Sensory Garden Committee will discuss a map presented by Lew, review available funds including CPA grant money, and plan future work. They will also consider invoices and reimbursements.
- Presentation of garden map by Lew
- Review of available funds
- Discussion of CPA Grant funds
- Invoices and reimbursements
- List of future work needed
School Committee and School Councils
The Belchertown School Committee will discuss the Cold Spring School closure update and athletic fields. They will also discuss and possibly act on superintendent evaluation and MASC/MASS conference attendance. Consent items include warrants and an out-of-state field trip for boys soccer.
- Cold Spring Closure Update (discussion)
- Athletic Fields discussion
- Superintendent Evaluation (discussion/action)
- Out-of-state field trip: Boys Soccer to Somers, Connecticut
- Approval of warrants (accounts payable and payroll)
Planning Board
The Planning Board meeting scheduled for June 23, 2026, has been cancelled. No items will be discussed or decided.
Historical Commission
The Belchertown Historical Commission will review the town’s new AI policy and receive updates on preparations for the town’s 250th anniversary. Members will also discuss cemetery maintenance, trail and signage projects, and coordinate with state and local agencies. The meeting includes routine administrative tasks like approving minutes and signing invoices.
- Review of the town’s new AI policy
- Updates on Belchertown’s 250th anniversary planning
- Progress reports on cemetery projects and trail signage
- Approval of May 26 meeting minutes and invoice signatures
Conservation Commission
The Belchertown Conservation Commission will hear and potentially vote on several continued applications, including a single-family home on West Street, an accessory dwelling unit on Lake Drive, cyanobacteria prevention at Lake Holland, and a septic/water line extension on Channel Drive. The commission will also review bills, approve minutes, discuss violations, and consider a certificate of compliance.
- Notice of Intent for single-family home at Lot A West Street (BCC#26-3)
- Notice of Intent for accessory dwelling unit at 35 Lake Drive (BCC#26-7)
- Request for Determination for cyanobacteria treatment at Lake Holland (BCC#26-14)
- Request for Determination for septic/water line at 109 Channel Drive (BCC#26-16)
- Bills: CT River Water Sampling $235.00, Amazon $47.59
Board of Health
The Board of Health will hear from a national expert regarding the health risks of pesticides to discuss regulations for chemical lawn care on town properties. The board will also handle annual reorganizations and staff appointments for FY27.
- Discussion on chemical lawn care/pesticide regulations for town properties
- Vote to change Animal Inspector mileage stipend to .725¢ per mile
- FY27 appointment of Candace Clark as Public Health Nurse
- FY27 Board reorganization for Chair, Vice Chair, and Single Signatory
Housing Authority
The Belchertown Housing Authority board will review its financial reports, approve meeting minutes, and discuss a state Contract for Financial Assistance. Commissioners will also receive operational updates on property management, unit vacancies, tenant receivables, and facility maintenance work orders. Standard comment periods for tenants and the public will address current housing operations.
- Contract for Financial Assistance #12
- Treasurer’s report and warrant financial summary
- Property manager updates on unit vacancies and tenant receivables
- Facilities capital update and maintenance work orders
- Local Tenants Organization and public comment periods
Energy and Sustainability Committee
The Energy and Sustainability Committee will hear reports from six subcommittees covering transportation, energy, public outreach, events, sustainability, and Green Communities. They will also discuss committee officers and assignments for the upcoming period.
- Transportation subcommittee report
- Energy subcommittee report
- Public outreach/education subcommittee report
- Events subcommittee report
- Sustainability subcommittee report
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a continued hearing regarding a special permit application. The board is considering whether to allow a commercial training facility and kennel at a specific property.
- Special permit application for 213 Stebbins Street (Map 240 Lot 49)
Economic Development and Industrial Corporation
The board will review development status updates and strategize on community engagement workshops. Members will also discuss next steps for marketing specific land parcels and updating the town website narrative.
- Site matter update from Robert Jenkins and Tim Gilbert
- Marketing strategy for Parcels B & D
- Status of deed transfers for Parcels B & D
- Review of letters of interest for an open seat
Misc
This virtual meeting of the Hampshire Public Health Preparedness Coalition will discuss the proposed FY27 budget and work plan, along with updates on regional projects, training, and exercises. The public can attend by requesting the meeting link in advance.
- FY27 Budget & Work Plan review
- Updates on ongoing regional public health projects
- Programmatic, training, and exercise updates
Lampson Brook Farm Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will review progress on historic preservation and conservation restriction templates. The meeting includes an executive session to revise a Request for Proposals (RFP) document.
- Historic Preservation Restriction discussions
- Conservation Restriction templates
- RFP document revisions (Executive Session)
Select Board
The Select Board will hear presentations on the Tadgell School schematic design and the Community Summit report, appoint a new Veterans' Service Agent, and discuss America's 250th Anniversary events. They will also vote to endorse two warrants totaling $2,687,898.95 and consider an amendment to the regional emergency dispatch agreement.
- Endorse Warrant #2648 for $1,492,725.16 and #2649 for $1,195,173.79
- Presentation of Tadgell School Schematic Design Report by Kuhn Riddle Associates and Tighe & Bond
- Appoint Dustin Ruby as Veterans' Service Agent and amend the Veterans' Services Advisory Board charge
- Discuss fireworks, proclamation, and flag raising for America's 250th Anniversary
- Endorse amendment to Intermunicipal Agreement for Emergency Communications and Dispatch Services
Creative Economy Committee
The committee will meet to present findings from the March 14th Community Summit to the Selectboard. They will also discuss and present a revised charge for the committee's operations.
- Presentation of March 14, 2026 Community Summit report
- Proposal for revised committee charge
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee approved a revised Communication Plan covering 2026-2028, with a motion to correct the town website redesign status from 'complete' to 'in progress.' The Select Board adopted the AI policy as a standing policy. Andrew Tremblay was accepted as an associate member. Meetings will continue on Thursdays at 6:30 PM.
- Approved revised Communication Plan (6-0)
- Accepted Andrew Tremblay as associate member (6-0)
- Approved May 28, 2026 minutes (5-0-1)
- Kept meeting schedule on Thursdays 6:30 PM (5-0-1)
- Adjusted Communication Plan to note website redesign status as 'in progress'
- Noted Select Board adoption of AI policy
- Accepted Kate Nadeau's updates on software upgrades and newsletter metrics
- Agreed to hold officer elections at next meeting
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors approved the FY2027 preliminary real estate tax warrant for $18,560,007.86 and the personal property tax warrant for $516,965.55. They also approved motor vehicle excise abatements under the Hero Act for disabled veterans. All votes were unanimous 3-0.
- Approved Schedule of Bills $176.29 (3-0)
- Approved FY2027 Preliminary Real Estate Tax Warrant $18,560,007.86 (3-0)
- Approved FY2027 Preliminary Personal Property Tax Warrant $516,965.55 (3-0)
- Approved FY2027 CPA Surcharge Warrant $215,540.68 (3-0)
- Approved FY2026 Omitted/Revised Assessment Report $17,126.70 (3-0)
- Approved monthly MVE abatements (5/29/2026) $879.80 (3-0)
- Approved monthly MVE abatements (6/9/2026) $2,907.64 (3-0)
- Approved Hero Act MVE abatement applications for 5 bills (3-0)