Select Board to award Jabish Brook Trestle Bridge contract; finance panel to vote on relief requests
Belchertown boards spent the past two weeks laying groundwork for future action, with no major votes reported from meetings held through July 1. The most consequential decision on the near horizon comes next week, when the Select Board is scheduled to award a contract for repairs to the Jabish Brook Trestle Bridge and review bids for two additional infrastructure projects.
Select Board sets July 6 for bridge contract, public hearings
The Select Board on July 6 will hold public hearings for utility poles on Jensen Street and Old Enfield Road, as well as for a new annual on-premises liquor license at 330 Chauncey Walker Street (Cold Spring Country Club). The board is then expected to vote on awarding a contract for repairs to the Jabish Brook Trestle Bridge and will review bids for the Hop Brook Culvert Replacement and the Water Reclamation Facility SCADA System upgrade. A Town Manager report will cover a potential water ban and the acceptance of a 2.988-acre deed on State Street, along with endorsements for LAND and PARC grant applications.
Finance Committee to act on FY26 municipal relief
The Finance Committee meets July 13 to vote on final FY26 Municipal Relief Requests and to discuss potential additional funding above the Governor’s proposal in the Massachusetts legislative budget. The committee will also approve outstanding meeting minutes.
Recent discussions cover health, schools, conservation
Board of Health (June 22) heard from a national expert about pesticide risks as part of a discussion on chemical lawn care regulations for town properties. The board also voted to raise the Animal Inspector mileage stipend to 72.5 cents per mile, appointed Candace Clark as Public Health Nurse for FY27, and reorganized its leadership posts. Minutes from this meeting are not yet published, so the pesticide discussion outcome is not known.
School Committee (June 23) discussed an update on the Cold Spring School closure, athletic fields, and a superintendent evaluation. Consent items included an out-of-state field trip for boys’ soccer to Somers, Connecticut. Another school council meeting (June 30) at Swift River Elementary reviewed end-of-year data, the Cold Spring move, and plans for 2026–2027.
Conservation Commission (June 22) conducted hearings on a single-family home at Lot A West Street, an accessory dwelling unit at 35 Lake Drive, cyanobacteria treatment at Lake Holland, and a septic/water line extension at 109 Channel Drive. Bills of $235.00 for CT River water sampling and $47.59 from Amazon were reviewed.
Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Committee (June 29) explored a Family Overdose Support Fund based on Boston’s HALO model, reviewed a funding application from Meetopolis Wellness, and discussed a possible partnership with Quabbin Health District for a wellness program at Clapp Library.
Other recent meetings: The Communications Committee voted on chair, vice chair, and clerk positions and reviewed the town AI policy rollout. The Historical Commission also discussed the AI policy, along with 250th anniversary plans and cemetery projects. The McPherson Sensory Garden Committee reviewed a garden map and available CPA grant funds. The Planning Board cancelled its June 23 session. The Board of Assessors (June 30) approved $1,714.99 in bills and motor vehicle excise abatements totaling $3,236.97, and authorized a FY2027 Gateway letter.
Coming up
July 7: Community Preservation Committee meets to discuss a proposed change to the window replacement grant for Clapp Memorial Library. The Cultural Council meets the same day to plan Food Truck Friday, including a BHS lemonade stand and recycling coordination.
July 8: Select Board special meeting to discuss and potentially adopt FY27 goals and objectives.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.