Shutesbury Lake Wyola Advisory Committee Explores Grant Opportunities and Road Maintenance Solutions

Overview: The Shutesbury Lake Wyola Advisory Committee convened to address issues surrounding road maintenance and explore funding opportunities for projects aimed at improving the lake’s water quality and infrastructure. A focal point of the meeting was the potential collaboration with the Town of Chester to gain insights into their successful grant application for addressing road erosion and beaver dam impacts, a process seen as potentially beneficial for Shutesbury’s similar challenges.

Historic Church Relocation Sparks Debate and Preservation Efforts in Greenfield City Council Meeting

Overview: The Greenfield City Council meeting focused on the potential relocation of a historic church, generating a discussion regarding preservation, relocation logistics, and community collaboration. In addition to the church relocation, the meeting covered updates on a historic survey and planning grant, dam removal projects, and local business impacts.

Shutesbury Personnel Board Considers Removing COLA Limit Amid Rising Inflation Concerns

Overview: The Shutesbury Personnel Board meeting centered around discussions on cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for town employees, potential changes to janitorial services, and updates on job descriptions and administrative roles. The board examined whether the current rolling average method for calculating COLA adequately addressed inflation, with a strong focus on maintaining competitive compensation to ensure employee retention. Additionally, the board explored the need for increased janitorial hours and re-evaluated job descriptions to align with modern administrative needs.

Greenfield City Council Faces Housing Development Controversy Amidst Zoning Regulation Debates

Overview: In a heated Greenfield City Council meeting, members and residents engaged in discussions about the city’s zoning regulations, focusing on proposed changes to housing development limits, infrastructure concerns, and the need for vehicle replacements within the city’s fleet. Key issues included the reconsideration of a motion related to zoning ordinances and the potential impact of new developments on neighborhood integrity and local infrastructure.

Conway Selectboard Endorses Crucial Floodplain Protection Bylaw to Secure Insurance Access

Overview: The Conway Selectboard meeting featured a key discussion on the proposed floodplain protection bylaw, unanimously endorsed by the Conservation Commission. This endorsement is important for maintaining the town’s eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program. The meeting also addressed the classification of a stream on Long Plain Road, the removal of a dead tree by a resident, and the development of bylaws for energy storage systems.