Deerfield public meetings in 2023
6 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Connecting Community Initiative
The Connecting Community Initiative Committee approved the minutes from the May 25 meeting unanimously. The June 29 minutes were approved with one abstention and all other items accepted. No other substantive actions or votes were recorded; the remainder of the meeting consisted of reports and updates. The next joint meeting is scheduled for October 17.
- Approved May 25 minutes – unanimous vote
- Approved June 29 minutes – 1 abstention, all other items approved
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved two Acts Notifying Reason (ANR) plans for lot subdivisions. The board also reviewed proposed changes to Chapter 179 bylaws ahead of a public hearing on October 2, 2023.
- Approved minutes of 7/10/23, 7/17/23, 8/7/23 and 8/21/23 (5-0-0)
- Endorsed South Shelburne Road ANR map to divide a lot by the town line (4-0-0)
- Endorsed 89 Whately Road ANR to split a rental property from farmland (4-0-0)
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals continued a public hearing regarding a special permit for a 296-square-foot sign at 147 North Main Street to allow for a redesign. The board also recommended new procedural language for sign permit applications to be included in the Chapter 179 bylaw update.
- Approved minutes of 8/10/2023 (5-0)
- Continued Pelican Products sign special permit hearing to October 12
- Recommended new subsection §3247 language for sign permit applications
- Adjourned meeting (5-0)
Selectboard / Board of Health
The Selectboard approved a $2.987M bond for the South Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorized contracts for EV charging stations. The board also approved police staffing and the transfer of a surplus vehicle to Greenfield.
- Approved $2,987,000 Wastewater Treatment Facility Bond (3-0-0)
- Approved Eversource and Rivermoor Energy contracts for EV charging at Town Hall and Leary Lot (3-0-0)
- Authorized Police Chief to backfill a vacated Police Officer position (3-0-0)
- Declared 2017 Ford Interceptor Utility cruiser surplus and authorized transfer to City of Greenfield Fire Department (3-0-0)
- Continued Road Layout Hearing for Snowberry Circle and Gray Lock Lane until September 20, 2023 (3-0-0)
- Approved $3,000 for DPC Rate Hearing Support (3-0-0)
- Approved Engineering Services Agreement for Old Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Betterment Analysis (3-0-0)
- Accepted resignations of Andy Habel (Police Department) and Analee Wulfkuhle (Planning Board, Ad Hoc Senior Housing Committee, and Community Preservation Committee) (3-0-0)
Selectboard / Board of Health
The Selectboard approved a $2,987,000 bond for the South Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorized several EV charging contracts. The board also approved the transfer of a surplus police cruiser to the City of Greenfield and authorized the Police Chief to backfill a vacated officer position.
- Approved $2,987,000 Wastewater Treatment Facility Bond (3-0-0)
- Approved Eversource and Rivermoor Energy contracts for EV charging at Town Hall and Leary Lot (3-0-0)
- Declared 2017 Ford Interceptor Utility cruiser surplus and authorized transfer to City of Greenfield Fire Department (3-0-0)
- Authorized Police Chief to backfill a vacated Police Officer position (3-0-0)
- Approved $3,000 for DPC Rate Hearing Support (3-0-0)
- Approved Engineering Services Agreement for Old Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Betterment Analysis (3-0-0)
- Approved Engineering Proposal for Eastern Ave Cross Street Design Phase (3-0-0)
- Re-affirmed $33,750 Asset Management Plan Grant (3-0-0)
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors approved the minutes from the August 22, 2023 meeting. The board reviewed August deeds, plans, and building permits and processed motor vehicle excise abatements. The meeting concluded with an executive session regarding MGL Chapter 59 section 60 requirements.
- Approved 08/22/2023 meeting minutes (2-0)
- Processed motor vehicle excise abatements via signature stamp