Granby West St Building Committee Grapples with Kitchen Renovation and Leech Field Concerns

Overview: The Granby West St Building Committee met to address critical elements of the building’s renovation, with a primary focus on the kitchen’s design and the leech field system’s condition. Key discussions included the potential conversion of the kitchen into a commercial space and the necessity of inspecting the leech field to ensure it meets future needs.

Southampton Select Board Faces Tensions Over Utility Installation and Investment Strategies

Overview: The recent Southampton Select Board meeting on November 26, 2024, was marked by discussions over utility installations on scenic roads and deliberations on the town’s investment strategies. Residents expressed concerns regarding the impacts of these utility projects on their properties and scenic roads, while the board grappled with evolving financial management practices and strategies.

Granby Planning Board Considers Local Oversight on Accessory Dwelling Units Amid State Mandates

Overview: At the recent Granby Planning Board meeting, members engaged in a discussion about the implications of state regulations on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the potential for local governance to play a role in their approval process. The board examined state mandates that allow ADUs under specific conditions, even when local zoning does not explicitly provide for them, and considered the need for local bylaws to address oversight, size limitations, and usage restrictions such as prohibiting short-term rentals.

Amherst Committee Debates Charter School Expansion and Climate Action Goals

Overview: In a lengthy meeting, the Amherst Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee tackled topics, most notably the expansion of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (PVCICS) and the refinement of climate action goals. The committee discussed the implications of the charter school’s growth on local funding, debated language clarity in a related resolution, and examined how to effectively incorporate climate action into town policies.

Fifth Graders Petition Amherst for Safer Biking Infrastructure

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Amherst Transportation Advisory Committee, a fifth-grade class from Fort River School presented a 60-page petition to the Town Council advocating for improved biking infrastructure. The petition, signed by students, highlighted the need for family-friendly bike lanes and off-road paths along Belchertown Road, as well as updates to Pelham Road sidewalks. The students emphasized reducing fossil fuel use and called for a revisitation of the bike and pedestrian plan established in 2018-2019, garnering community support.