Conway Selectboard Tackles School Garden Overhaul Amidst Funding and Community Engagement Concerns

Overview: The Conway Selectboard meeting focused on topics, including the renovation of the school garden, discussions about the Community Preservation Committee’s funding processes, and the progression of the Right to Farm signs initiative.

Shutesbury Personnel Board Moves Towards Digital Integration Amid Job Description Overhaul

Overview: In a recent Shutesbury Personnel Board meeting, members made progress on updating the employee handbook, digitizing job descriptions, and addressing overdue cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for town employees. The board approved a motion to remove detailed health insurance sections from the handbook, opting instead to provide a link to a separate, annually updated document. Additionally, the board discussed the need for digital access to job descriptions and explored the benefits of using Google Drive to enhance organization and compliance with record-keeping requirements.

Greenfield City Council Considers Surplus Property and High-Speed Charger Funding

Overview: In a recent Greenfield City Council meeting, discussions focused on declaring certain real estate properties as surplus and the proposal to fund a high-speed vehicle charger at the police station. The council also touched on proposed amendments to city codes and a lengthy list of mayoral appointments.

Shutesbury Health Board Eyes Regulations for Battery Storage and Data Centers Amid Growing Concerns

Overview: During the recent Shutesbury Board of Health meeting, members underscored the urgency of addressing regulatory gaps in the burgeoning sectors of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and data centers. The board deliberated on the classification of BESS as solar installations, which exempts them from certain local regulations. The Health Board is one of the few authorities capable of imposing regulations on these systems, particularly concerning nuisances and groundwater protection, prompting an examination of potential regulatory frameworks.

Greenfield City Council Plans Public Discussion on Surplus Properties and Tax Rate Considerations

Overview: In its recent meeting, the Greenfield City Council discussed plans to declare two properties, 62 Meridian Street and Petty Plane Road, as surplus, emphasizing the need for public engagement in this process. Additionally, the council reviewed amendments to the city’s code and financial orders, including funding for a high-speed vehicle charger, which were deferred for further consideration.