Hinsdale, MA

Finance Committee

The Hinsdale Finance Committee will meet to review minutes, consider the annual membership invoice for the MMA Assoc. of Town Finance Committees, and discuss the FY26 final expense report and accountant's report. The town administrator and sewer/water accounts will also provide updates.

• Annual membership invoice for MMA Assoc. of Town Finance Committees
• FY26 final expense report review
• Accountant's report review
• Town administrator status update
• Sewer and water accounts status update

Lake Management Committee

The Lake Management Committee will discuss herbicide treatments for Ashmere Lake and review a survey from Solitude. The body will also examine zebra mussel water test results and a new message board for the Plunkett Reservoir boat launch.

• Vote on LMC officers
• Review of Solitude’s Interim Survey from 7/27/26
• Discussion on second herbicide treatment for Ashmere Lake bladderwort
• Review of Zebra Mussel Water Test Results
• Plunkett Reservoir boat launch message board

Planning Board

There is no Planning Board meeting scheduled for August 4, 2026, due to a summer break. The next meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2026.

Hinsdale Public Library

The Hinsdale Public Library Board of Trustees will convene to approve past meeting minutes, hear the director’s and financial reports, and discuss planning for a fall bake sale fundraiser. Updates on subcommittees, an Eversource evaluation, and the annual fundraiser mailing list are also on the agenda.

• Approval of minutes from July 7 and July 21 meetings
• Financial report presentation
• Planning discussion for Fall Bake Sale fundraiser

Water and Sewer Committee

The Water & Sewer Commission and Advisory Committee are meeting to set water and sewer rates for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The body will also review specific requests for fee waivers and refunds for residents.

• Set Water & Sewer rates for FY27–FY29 based on DPC Engineering presentation
• Water connection fee refund request for 323 Longview Ave
• Sewer connection usage fee waiver request for 15 Bear Hill Road
• Request to upgrade water service to the Bonnie and Rose neighborhood
• Betterment payment review for 124 and 126 George Schnopp Road

Berkshire County retirement

The Berkshire County Retirement Board will meet to approve routine consent agenda items including monthly expenses, pension allowances, member transfers, and service buybacks. Two executive sessions are scheduled for personnel and cybersecurity matters. The agenda is largely procedural with no major policy decisions.

• Approve monthly expenses for July 2026
• Approve applications for superannuation retirement allowances
• Approve member transfers and service buybacks
• Executive session on personnel matter (ADR J Hunt)
• Executive session on cybersecurity records

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will meet to approve or deny statutory exemptions, Chapter 61 applications, and real estate and personal property abatements. They will also consider paying bills and approve minutes from the prior meeting. No other substantive business is anticipated.

• Approve/deny statutory exemptions as presented
• Approve/deny Chapter 61 applications as presented
• Approve/deny real estate and personal property abatements as presented
• Pay bills as presented

Select Board

The Select Board will receive an update from Monica Monferret on the Floating Bladderwort infestation in Ashmere Lake's North Basin. The meeting also includes approval of previous minutes, communications and reports, public comment, and other business.

• Update on Floating Bladderwort infestation in Ashmere Lake's North Basin from Monica Monferret
• Review and approval of minutes from July 8, 2026

Hinsdale Public Library

The Hinsdale Public Library Board of Trustees will discuss and vote on appointing Sarah Welch as Interim Director while the search for a permanent director is relaunched. The board will also vote on the final draft of a fundraising letter and authorize its mailing.

• Discussion and vote on Sarah Welch as Interim Director
• Vote on final draft of fundraising letter and authorization to proceed with mailing

School Committee

The Central Berkshire Regional School District School Committee will discuss and vote on several financial and personnel items, including ratification of custodial and cafeteria contracts for 2027-2029, approval of additional paraprofessionals and an elementary special education team chair, and approval of bond anticipation notes for the Wahconah Building Project. The meeting also includes reports from the superintendent, student representatives, and subcommittees, as well as a discussion on switching from Zoom to Google Meet.

• Ratification of Custodial Contract 2027-2029
• Ratification of Cafeteria Contract 2027-2029
• Approval of Additional Paraprofessionals (2.0 FTE)
• Approval of Addition of Elementary Special Education Team Chair (1.0 FTE)
• Approval of Bond Anticipation Notes for Wahconah Building Project

Conservation Commission

The Hinsdale Conservation Commission will consider two Requests for Determination of Applicability: one from Ford Kelly for a block wall, drainage, regrading, and seeding within the Ashmere Lake buffer zone at 0 Cove Lane, and another from Mark Pierson for gutter and downspout drainage improvements at 162 Michaels Road. The commission will also discuss an enforcement order against William Logue for unpermitted stone placement on the bank of Plunkett Reservoir at 187 South Shore Road.

• Request for Determination of Applicability – Ford Kelly: block wall, drainage improvements, regrade and seed yard within Ashmere Lake buffer zone at 0 Cove Lane
• Request for Determination of Applicability – Mark Pierson: gutter and downspout drainage improvements at 162 Michaels Road
• Enforcement Order – William Logue: unpermitted stone on bank of Plunkett Reservoir at 187 South Shore Road

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee and Select Board will review minutes, carry forward account balances, and discuss account transfers for outstanding or anticipated expenses. The agenda also includes any other business not reasonably anticipated and a public comment period.

• Review minutes from previous meetings
• Carry forward account balances
• Account transfers for outstanding or anticipated expenses
• Any other business not reasonably anticipated
• Public comment

Council on Aging

The Hinsdale/Peru Council on Aging will review June minutes, discuss the treasurer's report, and plan upcoming luncheon events including speakers on cardiac care, maple sugaring, and a solar eclipse pizza party.

• Approval of June 8, 2026 minutes
• Treasurer's report review
• Luncheon speakers: Berkshire Health Systems on cardiac care (July 16), Dan Kaufman on maple sugaring (Sept 17), and Dan Kaufman on Grand Canyon (Nov 12)
• Solar eclipse pizza party at Wayne Walton Pavilion (August 13)
• Characterization of Mary Muriel by Muriel (Oct 15)

Select Board

The Hinsdale Select Board will discuss campers on Michaels Road and vote on end-of-year transfers. The meeting also includes a response to an Open Meeting Law complaint and approval of previous minutes.

• Response to OML complaint
• Discussion of campers on Michaels Road
• Vote on end-of-year transfers

The Select Board voted to approve multiple end-of-year budget transfers and carryforwards to cover outstanding bills. The Board also responded to an Open Meeting Law complaint, acknowledging that a discussion about contracting with Daigle Law Group should have been held in open session and outlining corrective actions. No other substantive decisions were made; items such as campers on Michaels Road and body cameras were discussed but not voted on.

• Approved $23,488.72 transfer from Police Bridge Academy and Police Facility Upgrades to Police 210 account (unanimous)
• Approved $23,463.77 transfer from Health/Life Insurance and Insurance/Bonds accounts (unanimous)
• Approved list of carryforwards for multiple accounts including Legal Counsel, Infrastructure, Hazardous Trees, Tax Title, Conservation Agent, Town Website ADA Compliance, Police Evaluation & Audit, Engineering, Plunkett Settling Pond, and Plunkett Spillway Grant Match (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from June 9, 2026 and June 24, 2026 (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Hinsdale Planning Board will review an ANR application from Hill Engineering to combine two land parcels, discuss questions from a previous meeting, and consider a Sustainable Purchasing Policy. Correspondence regarding a new battery storage facility at 1000 Old Dalton Road will also be addressed.

• ANR application by John Macolini (Hill Engineering) to combine two parcels
• Discussion of questions raised at the December meeting
• Review of Sustainable Purchasing Policy distributed by Bob Graves
• Correspondence about a new battery storage facility at 1000 Old Dalton Road
• BRPC report by Keith Harrison

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review minutes, the accountant's report, sewer and water account statuses, carry-forward balances, and account transfers for outstanding or anticipated expenses. The Town Administrator and Ms. Rice will provide updates. Public comment will be heard.

• Review of accountant's report
• Sewer & water accounts status update
• Account transfers for outstanding or anticipated expenses

The committee unanimously approved carrying over $85,565 for six items including Conservation Agent salary, ADA compliance, police evaluation, road engineering, and Plunkett Lake projects. It also approved two transfers: $23,782.72 from police academy and facility upgrade accounts to cover police overages, and $26,584.57 from general and life insurance accounts to cover shortfalls in telephone, buildings, street lights, heating, veterans services, community center, and unemployment. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved $85,565 in carryovers for six items (unanimous)
• Approved $23,782.72 transfer from Police Bridge Academy and Police Facility Upgrade to Police 210 account (unanimous)
• Approved $26,584.57 transfer from General Insurance and Life Insurance to cover shortfalls in seven town accounts (unanimous)

Select Board

The Hinsdale Select Board will sign a memorandum of understanding for police chief services and a police contract. The board will also review prior meeting minutes and make FY27 appointments. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

• Sign MOU for Police Chief Services
• Sign Police Contract
• FY27 Appointments
• Review/Approve Previous Meeting Minutes (6/10/26)
• Public Comment (three minutes per person)

The Select Board approved the FY27 police contract and a memorandum of understanding for police chief services, both unanimously. They also approved a lengthy list of FY27 appointments for town boards, committees, and positions. The board received reports from the town administrator, DPW, police chief, and finance chair on various operational matters.

• Approved June 10, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved MOU for police chief services (unanimous)
• Approved FY27 police contract (unanimous)
• Approved FY27 appointments for all town boards, committees, and positions (unanimous)

Select Board

The Select Board has called a Special Town Meeting for June 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Hinsdale Town Hall Community Room. Voters will decide on two articles: electing an Acting Moderator and transferring funds from sewer surplus accounts to cover Fiscal Year 2025 invoices and other expenses.

• Article 2: Transfer $5,000 from Sewer I Surplus to Sewer I General Expense for FY2025 invoice and FY2026 expenses
• Article 3: Transfer $74,265 from Sewer III Surplus to Sewer III General Expense for FY2025 invoice and FY2026 expenses
• Article 1: Election of an Acting Moderator to preside if the elected Moderator is absent or unable to serve

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will meet to review and vote on statutory exemptions, Chapter 61 applications, property tax abatements, and the 2027 real estate tax warrant. Bills will also be paid as presented. The meeting is procedural with no new business anticipated.

• Approve/deny statutory exemptions as presented
• Approve/deny Chapter 61 applications as presented
• Approve/deny real estate and personal property abatements as presented
• Approve 2027 Real Estate Tax Warrant
• Pay bills as presented

Berkshire County retirement

The Berkshire County Retirement Board will vote on a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for eligible retirees, approve a $4,500 annual stipend increase for board members, and select a new chairperson. The meeting also includes a legal update and routine consent agenda items such as minutes, expenses, and personnel actions.

• Approve 3% COLA on first $17,000 for retirees who retired before June 30, 2025, effective July 1, 2026
• Appoint a chairperson to fill unexpired term ending 12/31/2026
• Approve increase in board member monthly stipends to $4,500 annually, effective July 1, 2026
• Approve authorized signers for PRIT account effective 6/18/2026
• Legal update from Board Counsel Thomas Gibson

Lake Management Committee

The Hinsdale Lake Management Committee will hold its annual summer community meeting, discussing Solitude Lake Management's herbicide treatments and the risk of invasive species, especially zebra mussels. Members will review the new Hanson-Milone Act requiring safety class certification and a kill switch law, and remind the public that Massachusetts Environmental Police can board vessels without cause. The committee will also consider lake and community events, including a July 4th boat parade and a possible child water safety day.

• Discuss Solitude Lake Management's herbicide treatments
• Review Hinsdale's lakes risk for invasive species, especially zebra mussels
• Remind all of the new Hanson-Milone Act: safety class certification & new kill switch law
• Review zebra mussel water test results for Plunkett Reservoir
• Possible child water safety day at Plunkett Public Beach

Hinsdale Public Library

The Library Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at a private residence to discuss the library’s strategic planning and edit the annual fundraiser letter before finalizing it.

• Discussion on strategic planning
• Edit and finalize annual fundraiser letter

School Committee

The Central Berkshire Regional School District School Committee will meet to approve financial, policy, and personnel items including a legal retainer for Dupere Law Offices, staffing changes at Craneville, and an overnight field trip for WRHS cheerleaders. The meeting includes routine reports, communications, and subcommittee recommendations.

• Approval of FY2027 retainer for General Legal Counsel – Dupere Law Offices
• Approval of FTE Kindergarten Teacher and Paraprofessional for Craneville
• Approval of overnight field trip for WRHS Cheerleaders to UCA Cheer Camp at UMASS Amherst
• Ratification of Custodial Contract 2027-2029
• Acceptance of Superintendent Evaluation Report

Select Board

The Hinsdale Select Board will consider signing a tentative police contract and appointing Margaret Gregory as an alternate to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The board will also acknowledge an Open Meeting Law complaint and review previous meeting minutes.

• Sign tentative police contract
• Appoint Margaret Gregory as BRPC alternate
• Acknowledge Open Meeting Law complaint
• Review/approve minutes from 5/6/26 and 5/27/26

Conservation Commission

The Hinsdale Conservation Commission is meeting to call the meeting to order, approve minutes from May 12, 2026, and hear public input. There is no new or old business on the agenda.

• Review of meeting minutes from 5-12-2026
• No new or old business listed

The Conservation Commission reviewed a proposed project and determined it is non-jurisdictional, meaning no permit is required. The board also discussed hand-pulling lily pads obstructing recreational use and noted that existing Orders on Plunkett and Ashmere Lake need renewal. A Notice of Intent will be required for choke cherry removal on a resident's property.

• Determined proposed project non-jurisdictional (no vote recorded)
• Approved hand-pulling of lily pads in areas obstructing recreational use (no vote recorded)
• Noted existing Orders on Plunkett and Ashmere Lake need renewal (no vote recorded)
• Determined Notice of Intent required for choke cherry removal (no vote recorded)

Select Board

The Select Board will review and approve the warrant for a Special Town Meeting on June 24, 2026. The meeting is to transfer funds from Sewer I and Sewer III reserves to pay an FY2025 sewer invoice from Dalton.

• Approve Special Town Meeting warrant for June 24, 2026
• Transfer funds from Sewer I and Sewer III reserves
• Pay FY2025 Sewer Invoice from Dalton, received May 19, 2026

The Select Board voted unanimously to approve the warrant for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for June 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting lasted four minutes.

• Approved Special Town Meeting warrant for June 24, 2026 (3-0)

Council on Aging

The Hinsdale/Peru Council on Aging will approve minutes and treasurer's report, discuss newsletter updates, and plan luncheon speakers for upcoming months. They will also review the May 14 Super Senior Party and discuss a solar eclipse event and a possible speaker on cycling in Cuba.

• Approval of May 11, 2026 minutes
• Treasurer's report approval
• Luncheon plans: June 11 – Roger Tincknell music, July 16, August 13, Sept 17 – Dan Kaufman on maple sugaring, Oct 15 – Susan B Anthony characterization, Nov 12 – Dan Kaufman on Grand Canyon
• Discussion of Super Senior Party on May 14
• Possible speaker Laurie Martinelli on cycling in Cuba

The Hinsdale/Peru Council on Aging approved the May 11, 2026 minutes and the June 8, 2026 treasurer's report, noting the town account has been fully spent down. No substantive policy decisions were made; the meeting focused on planning upcoming luncheons, a new newsletter format, and a four-week afternoon yoga class.

• Approved May 11, 2026 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved June 8, 2026 treasurer's report (unanimous)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Hinsdale Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-0 to grant Jeffrey and Debra Storie a special permit to remove a storage trailer and replace it with a shed at 164 Shore Drive. The permit includes restrictions that the shed be single-story, no larger than 10x20 feet, and placed at least 10 feet from the house.

• Applicants: Jeffrey and Debra Storie
• Property: 164 Shore Drive, Hinsdale, MA (Map 112, Lot 286, R-3 district)
• Decision: Special permit granted with restrictions on shed size and placement
• Vote: 3-0 in favor (Jeff Viner, Dan Thornton, Bruce Alexander)
• Hearing date: June 8, 2026

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Hinsdale Zoning Board of Appeals will decide a special permit request to replace a trailer with a 10x20 shed in the front yard of 164 Shore Drive. The board will review the application, hear abutters' comments, and vote on the proposal during the meeting.

• Special permit request under Section 6-a for shed at 164 Shore Drive
• Replacement of existing trailer with 10x20 shed in front yard

The Hinsdale Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously (3-0) to grant a special permit to Jeffrey and Deborah Storie for a 10x20 shed to replace a removed storage trailer on their R-3 district property. The permit includes restrictions that the shed remain one story, no larger than 10x20, and be placed at least 10 feet from the house. No public comments were received.

• Granted special permit for 10x20 shed with restrictions (3-0)

Lake Management Committee

The Hinsdale Lake Management Committee will facilitate a meeting between Camp Taconic and neighbors on Ashmere Lake's North Basin to address resident concerns. The committee will also discuss Solitude's pre-treatment survey and preparation for a June 11 herbicide treatment. Other items include approving May meeting minutes, a new boat launch message board at Plunkett Reservoir, and zebra mussel water test results.

• Facilitate meeting with Camp Taconic and neighbors on Ashmere Lake's North Basin over shore erosion, boat wake damage, dock safety, and noise complaints
• Discuss Solitude's pre-treatment survey and prep for herbicide treatment scheduled for June 11, 2026
• Approve May 2026 meeting minutes
• Discuss new boat launch message board at Plunkett Reservoir: rules, zebra mussel education, lake map
• Review zebra mussel water test results

The Lake Management Committee met primarily to hear concerns about Camp Taconic's wake boat causing shore erosion and safety issues. Camp representative Loren Kleinman reported the camp has sold its large wake boat and will use a smaller boat this summer, and will consider changing ski embarkation location and counselor night gatherings. The committee also accepted May minutes, noted a new sign board at Plunkett boat launch, and discussed water sample testing. No formal votes were taken on the wake boat issue.

• Accepted May meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Camp Taconic will use a smaller boat this summer (reported, not voted)
• Camp Taconic will consider modifying ski schedule and sail/paddle board location (reported, not voted)
• New sign board posted at Plunkett boat launch (noted, no vote)
• Water samples taken from Plunkett; results pending (noted, no vote)
• All members except Cynthia Grippaldi indicated willingness to serve another year (noted, no vote)

Lake Management Committee

The Lake Management Committee will review resident complaints about shoreline erosion, dock damage, and safety hazards linked to Camp Taconic’s wake boat operations on Ashmere Lake. Residents report structural damage to docks, loss of beachfront, and unsafe conditions for swimmers and small watercraft users due to excessive wakes.

• Shoreline erosion estimated at up to 24 inches over 6 years at Ashmere Landings
• Repairs to Ashmere Landings dock costing nearly $1,200
• $40,000 quote for erosion control measures at SkyView Grove Association beach
• Damage to SkyView Grove Association’s swim float and beach shoreline
• Resident concerns over wake boat operations from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily