Leyden, MA

Police Services Advisory Meeting

Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will discuss a plan request for George Lamb Road and an update for 581 West Leyden Road. The board is also considering moratoriums on AI data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

• Approval Not Required plan request for George Lamb Road
• Update regarding 581 West Leyden Road
• Special Permit application for Leyden Highway
• Discussion of BESS and AI Data Center moratoriums
• Review of draft Priority Habitat Map from Fisheries and Wildlife

Building Needs Study Committee

The Leyden Building Needs Study Committee will assess town buildings to identify general maintenance needs and potential capital improvements. The meeting is held at Leyden Town Hall, DPW and Fire Department at 16 W. Leyden Rd.

MLP Advisory Board Meeting

Board of Health Meeting

The Leyden Board of Health will review and approve July 2026 meeting minutes and hear updates from the health agent, including the status of remedies at 581 W Leyden Road. The board will also discuss a mold issue in town offices, naloxone cabinet placements, and debrief a July 13 permethrin event. A presentation on nicotine-free generation from a prior meeting will be noted.

• Review and approve July 2026 meeting minutes
• 581 W Leyden Road status update — remedies
• Mold issue in town offices
• Naloxone cabinets
• Permethrin event July 13 — debriefing

Library Trustees Meeting

The Leyden Library Trustees will meet to discuss the FY26 and FY27 budgets, as well as upcoming summer reading events. The meeting includes routine items such as approving prior minutes and scheduling future meetings. No votes or final decisions are noted on the agenda.

• Discussion of FY26 and FY27 budget
• Discussion of Summer Reading and upcoming events
• Review and approval of previous meeting minutes

Conservation Committee Agenda

The Conservation Commission will discuss Order of Conditions violations for the Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road. They will also read mail, review correspondence, approve minutes, and draft a paragraph for the town's Annual Report.

• Order of Conditions violations for Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road
• Draft paragraph for Commission's inclusion in town Annual Report

Select Board Meeting

The Select Board will discuss and vote on the annual renewal of the Animal Control Officer and dog shelter contract. They will also consider the start date for a Digital Equity grant and continue appointments for fiscal year 2027. Other items include planning an orientation for town officials and receiving updates from the Town Coordinator and Select Board.

• Vote on yearly renewal for Animal Control Officer and animal dog shelter
• Discussion on when to start the Digital Equity grant
• Continuing FY27 Appointments
• Planning orientation for elected and appointed town officials

Council on Aging Meeting

The Council on Aging will decide whether to absorb a $780/year cost increase for foot care services or split the cost with clients, and will discuss starting a Leyden Cafe.

• Foot care cost increase: provider raising rates from $25 to $35/person; Council to decide between absorbing full $780/year or splitting cost with clients
• Discussion of starting up a Leyden Cafe

Select Board Meeting

The Leyden Select Board will discuss a new policy on housing, review the town accountant's performance, and consider signing a special permit application for highway work. The board will also continue FY27 appointments and plan orientation for elected officials.

• Policy on new housing
• Angelica DesRoches - Town Accountant Annual Review
• Discuss and sign special permit application for highway
• Continue FY27 Appointments
• Permission for Michele to sign agreement with Mead, Talerman & Costa

Board of Assessor's Meeting

The Board of Assessors will meet to approve minutes, monthly property and motor vehicle lists, a motor vehicle commitment warrant, review building permits, and consider criteria for Clause 18 hardship applications.

• Approve Real Estate & Personal Property Monthly List for July
• Approve Motor Vehicle Monthly List for July
• Warrant 2026 Motor Vehicle Commitment #4
• Review Building Permits
• Consider criteria for Clause 18 Hardship

Select Board Meeting

The Leyden Select Board will meet to review and finalize its calendar for fiscal year 2027, continue appointments, and discuss town clerk hiring and training. The meeting includes updates from the Town Coordinator and Select Board members, with a public comment period.

• Finalize Select Board Calendar for FY27
• Continue FY27 Appointments
• Update on Town Clerk hiring, training, and Assistant Town Clerk job posting
• Town Coordinator updates
• Public Comment period

Cultural Council

The Leyden Cultural Council will meet to discuss ways to increase awareness of council events and to bring grant opportunities to residents through the Massachusetts Cultural Council program. The committee will also consider organizational changes and any unplanned business.

• Discuss increasing awareness of Cultural Council events for Leyden residents
• Discuss grant opportunities available through the Massachusetts Cultural Council program
• Discuss organizational changes to the committee

Board of Health

The Board of Health reviewed and approved the June 2026 meeting minutes. They discussed updates on tick reports and a permethrin event scheduled for July 13. The board also reviewed a letter from Conway regarding BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) regulations and planned a fall presentation by Mike Hugo, Esq., MAHB. No votes or final decisions were recorded on substantive items.

• Approved June 2026 meeting minutes
• Discussed tick reports and permethrin event July 13
• Reviewed Conway’s letter on BESS regulations for potential adaptation
• Scheduled Mike Hugo, Esq., MAHB, for fall BESS presentation

Select Board Meeting

The Select Board will interview Lucas Haszar for the Town Clerk position and then discuss the role. Public comment is scheduled. No old business is on the agenda.

• Interview of Lucas Haszar for Town Clerk position
• Discussion of Town Clerk position
• Public comment period

Planning Board Meeting & Public Hearing

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a special permit application for 215 West Leyden Road, which requests less than the minimum 50-foot setback from the street. The board will also discuss updates to the Site Plan Review Bylaw, a Dark Sky Bylaw, and the Use Table. A site visit at the property precedes the meeting.

• Public hearing on special permit for 215 West Leyden Road for reduced street setback
• Update on 581 West Leyden Road
• Discussion of updating Site Plan Review Bylaw sections
• Discussion of Dark Sky Bylaw
• Discussion of Use Table

Board of Assessor's Meeting

The Board of Assessors will meet to approve minutes from June 8, approve the Real Estate & Personal Property and Motor Vehicle monthly lists for June, and review building permits and upcoming fiscal year needs. A scheduled appointment at 6:00 PM is with Jennifer Van Pelt regarding 350 Brattleboro Road.

The Board of Assessors unanimously approved the June real estate and motor vehicle tax lists, with $0 in new real estate value and $1,227.03 in motor vehicle excise. They also discussed a resident's concern that wetlands on her property should lower her valuation, but noted they lack authority over wetland assessments and suggested she appeal to the Appellate Tax Board or seek an elder exemption.

• Approved June Real Estate/Personal Property list ($0) unanimously.
• Approved June Motor Vehicle list ($1,227.03) unanimously.
• Discussed but took no action on building permits for solar/insulation with no added value.
• Heard resident Jennifer Van Pelt's request for a wetland-based valuation adjustment; directed her to the Conservation Commission and Appellate Tax Board.

Select Board Meeting

The Select Board will conduct three interviews for the Town Clerk position, review and potentially approve the FY27 wage and stipend schedule from the treasurer, and discuss the town coordinator's annual review. The meeting also includes a first reading of a proposed mailbox policy.

• Interview Lindsay Bielicki for Town Clerk position
• Interview Danielle Roussel for Town Clerk position
• Interview Kathleen Garmalo for Town Clerk position
• Approve FY27 wage and stipend schedule from treasurer
• Read V1 of Mailbox policy

Recreation Committee

The Leyden Recreation Committee will meet to approve minutes, discuss a concert/potluck, plan upcoming events including Joys of Nature and a Lucy Prince Film, and consider construction of a shed. No votes or decisions are recorded in the agenda.

• Approve minutes from May 26 if available
• Report on concert/potluck
• Discuss upcoming events: Joys of Nature, Matt York, Lucy Prince Film
• Discuss construction of shed
• Discuss any new ideas

Open Space and Recreation Committee

The Open Space and Recreation Committee will meet on June 23, 2026, to review notes from the March 23, 2026 Listening Session, plan future meeting dates (July 21, no August, September 15), and discuss the plan section and update timeline for the draft. No old topics are on the agenda.

• Review of notes from March 23, 2026 Listening Session
• Planning future meeting dates: July 21, no August meeting, September 15
• Review of plan section and update timeline for draft

Select Board Meeting

The Select Board will consider hiring an attorney to address building code violations at 581 West Leyden Road. They will also conduct interviews for the Town Clerk position and perform annual review of Bill Brooks. The meeting includes routine items such as signing bimonthly warrants and approving prior meeting minutes.

• Discuss hiring an attorney for building code violations at 581 West Leyden Road
• Bill Brooks annual review
• Lindsay Bielicki interview for Town Clerk position
• Molly Miller interview for Town Clerk position
• Discussion on Town Clerk position

Leyden Emergency Management Committee

The Leyden Emergency Management Committee will review its FY27 budget, update the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and National Flood Insurance Program status, and discuss emergency communications including RAVE/911. The committee will also receive updates from the Emergency Management Director and MEMA, and consider a regionalization grant with Bernardston.

• Public Safety Team Budget FY27
• Update of CEMP and National Flood Insurance Program
• Leyden/Bernardston regionalization grant update
• Emergency communication, status of RAVE/911
• Garmen messenger policy

Franklin Conservation District

The Franklin Conservation District Board of Supervisors will meet to approve March meeting minutes and receive updates on current and upcoming District Innovation grants. No other substantive decisions or public hearings are listed on the agenda.

• Review and approval of March 2026 meeting minutes
• Update on current District Innovation grant (Kyla)
• Update on upcoming District Innovation grant (Kyla)

Planning Board, Select Board, Board of Health & Con Com

The Planning Board, joined by the Select Board, Board of Health, and Conservation Commission, will discuss a strategy to bring the property at 581 West Leyden Road into compliance with town and state laws. The FRCOG Building Commissioner will be present. The discussion will include potential timelines for the property owner.

• Discussion of nonconforming property at 581 West Leyden Road
• Strategy to bring property into compliance with town and state laws
• FRCOG Building Commissioner Hawkins attending
• Timeline expectations for property owner

Council on Aging

The Council on Aging will meet to approve May minutes, review the June community lunch program including volunteer feedback and July menu planning, discuss a potential guest speaker, and prepare for the July 1 officer transition. The meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the Leyden Town Offices.

• Approval of May meeting minutes
• Financial report review
• June lunch evaluation: meals served (in-person, pickup, delivery), volunteer experience, and appreciation
• July lunch menu planning
• Potential guest speaker for June lunch

Select Board Meeting

The Select Board will conduct the annual review of the Tax Collector and Treasurer, discuss and potentially sign a Digital Equity grant extension contract, interview a candidate for the Town Clerk position, and continue FY27 appointments. The meeting also includes routine updates, public comment, and agenda planning.

• Annual review of Tax Collector and Treasurer Susan Bole
• Digital Equity grant discussion and extension contract signing
• Interview of Eloise Tuell for Town Clerk position
• Continue FY27 appointments

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will discuss an Order of Conditions (OOC) for the West Leyden Road project and Order of Conditions violations for the Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road. The meeting also includes reading mail, reviewing correspondence, and approving minutes. No other substantive items are listed.

• OOC for West Leyden Road project
• Order of Conditions violations for Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a special permit application for 68 Katelyn Hill Road, then may take action on it. The board will also continue its discussion of 581 West Leyden Road and consider updates to the Site Plan Review Bylaw and a Dark Sky Bylaw.

• Public hearing and possible action on a special permit for 68 Katelyn Hill Road
• Continued discussion of 581 West Leyden Road
• Discussion of updating the Site Plan Review Bylaw
• Discussion of a Dark Sky Bylaw

Select Board

The Select Board will vote on salaries and stipends for fiscal year 2027, discuss and vote on amortizing health insurance costs from the HCGIT, and review the Police and Fire IMAs. They will also sign a PILOT letter for Greenfield and an ADA grant support letter.

• Vote on FY27 salaries and stipends
• Update on the Police IMA (Inter-Municipal Agreement)
• Discussion of Fire IMA budget with FRCOG
• DLS form on amortizing health insurance from HCGIT discussion and vote
• Review, vote, and sign Town of Greenfield PILOT letter

Board of Assessors

The Leyden Board of Assessors will meet to approve the minutes from the June 1 meeting and finalize the real estate tax bills for fiscal year 2027. No other substantive items are listed on the agenda.

• Approve minutes of June 1 meeting
• Warrant fiscal year 2027 real estate tax bills

The Board of Assessors unanimously approved the FY27 Warrant to Collect for Real Estate in the amount of $929,785.87. The board also approved motor vehicle abatements for Sandra Yetter ($76.83) and Bruce Zimmerman ($71.53). A meeting was scheduled for June 29 at 6:00 PM to hear Jennifer Van Pelt's concerns about her property valuation.

• Approved minutes of June 1 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved FY27 Real Estate Warrant to Collect for $929,785.87 (unanimous)
• Approved motor vehicle abatement for Sandra Yetter, $76.83 (unanimous)
• Approved motor vehicle abatement for Bruce Zimmerman, $71.53 (unanimous)
• Scheduled June 29 at 6:00 PM meeting with Jennifer Van Pelt to discuss property valuation

Franklin Regional Retirement System

The Franklin Regional Retirement System board will convene on June 8, 2026, to review the 2026 PERAC Annual Statement. The meeting is accessible remotely and in person, with public access provided online and at the meeting location.

Franklin Regional Retirement System

The Franklin Regional Retirement System board will meet on June 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The only substantive item on the agenda is the review of the 2026 PERAC Annual Statement. The meeting will be held with remote participation options for the public.

• Review of the 2026 PERAC Annual Statement

Franklin Regional Retirement System

The Franklin Regional Retirement System board is meeting to deliberate on the 2025 PERAC annual statement. The agenda contains only this single item of general business, with no other decisions or proposals listed.

• Deliberation on the 2025 PERAC Annual Statement

Board of Assessor's Meeting

The Board of Assessors will consider approving the Fiscal Year 2027 Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills, as well as a PILOT payment from the Town of Greenfield. They will also review and approve monthly real estate and motor vehicle lists, and process any motor vehicle abatements.

• Warrant Fiscal Year 2027 Real Estate & Personal Property bills
• Warrant the Town of Greenfield PILOT payment
• Approve Real Estate Monthly List for May
• Process Motor Vehicle Abatements (if any)
• Warrant 2026 Motor Vehicle Commitment #3

The Board of Assessors unanimously approved the FY27 Warrant to Collect for personal property ($33,809.54), the May real estate/personal property list ($0), the FY26 PILOT payment to Greenfield ($25,535.26), and motor vehicle abatements totaling $1,078.67. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved FY27 Warrant to Collect for personal property $33,809.54 (unanimous)
• Approved May RE/PP monthly list $0 (unanimous)
• Approved FY26 PILOT payment to Greenfield $25,535.26 (unanimous)
• Approved motor vehicle abatements: Richard Mallory $994.34, Ruth Tuller $33.62, Rebecca King $50.71 (unanimous)
• Approved 2026 Motor Vehicle Commitment #3 $14,483.61 (unanimous)