Charlemont meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Charlemont boards tackle school study, utility pole, and conservation hearings; no decisions confirmed

Over the past two weeks, several Charlemont boards and committees met to consider items ranging from a school sustainability study to a utility pole installation. However, minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no official decisions are confirmed. The most consequential item on the agenda was the School Sustainability Review Committee's review of a Phase 3 study and alternative district configurations.

Selectboard

The Selectboard held a public hearing on a request from National Grid to install one 35-foot Class 4 stub pole on Maxwell Road. The board also considered appointing Chris Goodhind as Fire Chief, reviewed Franklin County Solid Waste District FY27 memorandums of understanding, and discussed a Regional Dog Shelter Agreement from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Trail project ideas near Tea Street Extension and the Fairgrounds were also on the agenda.

School Sustainability Review Committee

The committee reviewed updates on Phase 1 and 2 of the sustainability study, including data requests and FY2026/FY2027 town data. The agenda included discussion of the Phase 3 2D8T study, covering community impact, transportation, educational visioning, Pre-K plans, financial advisory, and regional agreement. The committee also discussed Hawlemont building reuse, including FEMA 100-year floodplain status and student capacity data from MSBA vs MTRSD. Alternative options considered included Heath rejoining Hawlemont, or forming a district with Rowe and/or Heath (and Hawley). Approval of minutes from March 23, 2026 and July 7, 2026 was also on the agenda.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission held three public hearings: a Notice of Intent for a drinking water well, water line, water fountain, and associated site work at Mohawk Trail State Forest; a Request for Determination of Applicability for a magic carpet ski lift at Berkshire East Ski Resort, LLC, 66 Thunder Mountain Road; and a Request for Determination of Applicability for riparian planting along streams at Hall Tavern Farm, 1927 Route 2. The commission also considered accepting Clay Herbert's resignation and discussed machinery on E. Hawley Road, Woodlands Trailer Park wetlands on MassMapper, and StageCoach Auto.

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors met to approve minutes from July 6 and July 13, sign the FY2026 motor vehicle excise commitment #4 warrant, and approve monthly lists of real and personal property tax abatements and motor vehicle excise tax abatements for July 2026. The board also entered executive session to deliberate on three motor vehicle excise abatement applications and discuss litigation strategy.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for today, August 17:

• **Selectboard** will meet to approve and sign the State Primary Warrant from the Town Clerk, adopt a Body Worn Camera Policy for Police, vote to authorize the Assessors to contract with Catalis for software, review cannabis material for the website, and receive an update on tennis court construction.
• **Board of Assessors** will review, approve, and sign a Fiscal Year 2027-2029 Assessment Services contract with Catalis Tax & CAMA, enter executive session for abatement/exemption applications and litigation strategy in the case of Julee Clement v. Charlemont, and sign one motor vehicle excise abatement application.

Charlemont boards meet on utility pole, property inspections, and school study

Charlemont's Selectboard, Board of Health, and Board of Assessors met over the past two weeks, but none of the three bodies have published minutes yet, so no formal decisions are available. The agendas covered a utility pole hearing, property inspections, tax abatements, and a fire chief appointment. An upcoming school committee meeting will take up the future of the local district.

Selectboard: National Grid pole hearing and fire chief appointment

The Selectboard met Aug. 3 and held a public hearing on a request from National Grid to install one 35-foot Class 4 stub pole on Maxwell Rd. The board also considered appointing Chris Goodhind as Fire Chief. Other agenda items included Franklin County Solid Waste District FY 27 memorandums of understanding, a Regional Dog Shelter Agreement from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and a discussion of trail project ideas near Tea Street Extension and the Fairgrounds.

Board of Health: property discussions and food truck inspections

The Board of Health met remotely July 28. The agenda included discussions of 2155 Route 2, 119 Main St., The Block at 122 Main St., and Woodland Park at 280 Zoar Rd. The board also considered Reggae Fest food truck inspections and a Health Agent report. An appointment was scheduled with Jonathan Mirin, Ellen Landau, and Kent Chamberlin to follow up on requested documents, dark field microscopy questions, and smart meters.

Board of Assessors: abatement lists and executive session

The Board of Assessors met Aug. 3 to approve minutes from its July 6 and July 13 meetings, sign a FY 2026 motor vehicle excise commitment #4 warrant, and approve monthly lists of real and personal property tax abatements for July 2026, as well as motor vehicle excise tax abatements for the same month. The board also reviewed and deliberated on three motor vehicle excise abatement applications and entered executive session to discuss pending abatement applications and litigation strategy.

Coming up

The Charlemont School Sustainability Review Committee meets Aug. 11. The agenda includes a review of Phase 1 and 2 of the sustainability study, a Phase 3 2D8T study covering community impact, transportation, educational visioning, Pre-K plans, financial advisory, and regional agreement. The committee will also discuss Hawlemont building reuse, including FEMA 100-year floodplain status and student capacity data, and alternative district options such as Heath rejoining Hawlemont or forming a district with Rowe and/or Heath. Public comment is scheduled, and the committee will consider approving minutes from March 23 and July 7, 2026.