Lee boards weigh housing repairs, fire station reuse, and public safety purchases in busy July stretch
Lee's boards and committees covered a wide range of business in the second half of July, from housing authority repair contracts to the reuse of the former fire station. All meetings listed below were agenda-only at press time — minutes have not yet been published — so items reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action, not confirmed outcomes.
Housing Authority: repair contracts and FY2027 plan
The Lee Housing Authority Board was scheduled to consider two capital repair contracts at its July 21 meeting: replacing soffits and gutters (FISH#150076) and repainting the exterior of North & West Brown Memorial Court (FISH#150513). The board also planned to review a monthly check register dated June 30, 2026, vacancy updates for units 667 and 705, and a resident services report. The agenda noted remembrance of board member Thomas Unsworth and introduction of new board members.
A separate Housing Authority public hearing the same day covered the Proposed Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2027, including a three-year capital improvement plan, a maintenance and repair plan, the current operating budget, responses to Performance Management Review findings, and a list of waivers from EOHLC regulations.
Fire Station Re-Use Committee: architect proposals
The Fire Station Re-Use Committee met July 21 and again July 28 to review and potentially vote on architect proposals for reusing the former fire station. Both agendas included approval of minutes, public comment, and project updates.
Public Safety Building Committee: IT equipment vote
On July 23, the Public Safety Building Committee was scheduled to vote on furniture, fixtures, and equipment items, including IT servers and other IT purchases, at the active construction site. Updates were expected from Skanska, JHA, and J&J, followed by a site tour. Advance registration and PPE were required.
Select Board: pole relocations and licenses
The Select Board's July 27 agenda included two public hearings on utility pole relocations for MADOT bridge projects (Job No. 607677): relocating two and placing two jointly owned poles on Mill Street, and relocating one jointly owned pole on Washington Mountain Road. Other items included appointing Brooke Healy as local government representative for Clean Energy Permitting, discussing Conservation Commission fees, an interpretive sign for the downtown community garden, a one-day alcohol license for Lee Sportsmen's Association, and a one-day entertainment license for the LYC NinjaFit Playground Grand Opening.
Planning Board: 165 Housatonic St. and zoning updates
The Planning Board met July 20 and July 27. The first agenda included approving and signing a letter of support for a select board representative and continuing a balloon test at 165 Housatonic St. The July 27 meeting scheduled a continued special permit hearing for 165 Housatonic St. at 6:15 p.m., discussion of MGL Ch. 40A zoning updates, and signing a letter to the Select Board for a Local Government Representative Recommendation regarding DOER Consolidated Permitting.
Board of Public Works: capacity permits and abatement
The Board of Public Works on July 27 was set to discuss and possibly vote on a minimum charge for capacity permits with no bedrooms. Updates on capital purchases for a guardrail mower and an F150 were also scheduled, along with an abatement request for a pool at 55 Richmond Ave and approval of minutes from June 8 and June 22, 2026.
Affordable Housing Trust and 250th Anniversary Committee
The Lee Affordable Housing Trust met July 23 to discuss the Housing Production Plan Update with Anna Corning of the Collins Center via Zoom and to vote on appointing Peg LeClaire to the Community Preservation Committee.
The 250th Anniversary Committee held several sessions: the Historical Exhibits/Memorials Subcommittee discussed photo choices for screens, obtaining dimensions from L B Corp for a donated stone, requesting a second stone for Veterans recognition, and contacting parties for permission to place a historical marker in Veterans' Park. The Book Subcommittee discussed content and layout for a commemorative book. The full committee on July 22 planned to review subcommittee budget needs presented by Chris Brittain and hold a working session on ongoing projects, with the next meeting scheduled for August 26, 2026.
Berkshire County Retirement Board
The Berkshire County Retirement Board met July 29 to approve routine monthly expenses for July 2026, superannuation retirement allowances, service buybacks, new member applications, and review of injuries reported. Two executive sessions were scheduled for privacy and cybersecurity reasons.
Coming up
- **Aug. 3 — Community Preservation Act Committee:** Financial update on annual fees and the Central Fire Station, plus discussion of the deputy role, signage, and a possible new member.
- **Aug. 4 — Select Board:** Discussion of the Mill Street Bridge traffic light and Central Fire Station siren; vote on extending public safety construction noise relief; temporary sign permit and fee waiver for Boston University Tanglewood Institute; appointments of Nate Salvini to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Peg LeClair to the Community Preservation Committee.
- **Aug. 5 — Conservation Commission:** Review of riverfront-area projects including a dry storage question at 1375 Cape St., brush trimming and wall repair at 20 Forest St., an above-ground fuel tank at 100 Tyringham Rd., a proposed 4-story, 74-room Marriott Hotel at 165 Housatonic St., and a 100-car parking lot, bridge, walking path, and pavilion at 705 Marble St.
- **Aug. 11 — Community Development Corporation:** Vote on endorsing or sponsoring a cultural district, vote on accepting new members, and discussion of a school CTE program partnership and a store/business improvement program.