The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Mariah Curts, a livability planner, who addressed the ongoing housing crisis in Western Massachusetts. Curts highlighted the need for affordable housing options, noting that many residents face significant challenges in securing affordable accommodations. Her presentation underscored findings from a regional housing study completed the previous year and emphasized the potential benefits of hiring a regional affordable housing coordinator. This position would not create a new role but would fund a planner’s time to work on housing initiatives across participating towns, including Shutesbury, Leverett, and Shelburne.

Curts elaborated on a state grant application under the Thrive framework aimed at rural economic development, which was approved, providing seed money for the housing coordination efforts. This funding, set at $10,000 and available until June 2027, is intended to support research and coordination services, though it is limited to projects serving individuals earning less than the area median income. Curts emphasized the collaborative nature of this initiative, proposing a shared service agreement to maximize resources and expertise among the small towns.

The discussion also highlighted the unique challenges faced in rural settings like Franklin County, particularly concerning the limited CPA funding available for housing projects. It was noted that Shutesbury’s housing fund allocation is relatively modest, complicating efforts to finance substantial housing initiatives. Curts stressed the importance of understanding each town’s distinct needs and the role a housing coordinator could play in aligning projects with these needs.

The committee engaged in a dialogue about potential properties for housing development and the importance of establishing relationships with developers and real estate agents to facilitate new projects. Suggestions were made to explore community land trusts, which have seen some success in neighboring areas, as a means of addressing housing shortages creatively.

Alongside the housing discussion, the committee dedicated time to reviewing and approving the community preservation plan for fiscal year 2026. The plan revisions focused on improving language consistency, particularly shifting terms from “historic preservation” to “historic resources” for broader applicability. Updates were also made to the community housing section, emphasizing the need for specificity in fund allocation.

To enhance accessibility and reduce barriers for funding applicants, the committee revised the application process, eliminating the requirement for printed copies and updating submission deadlines. An appendix with guidelines for CPA funding recipients was introduced, informed by feedback from past grantees. These changes were met with approval from the committee members, who praised the efforts to refine the community preservation plan effectively.

Lastly, the committee touched on various procedural aspects, such as the process for approving off-cycle project requests and the timing of state grant funding. A report on the guide board project was shared, noting delays due to contractor backlogs, prompting adjustments to project timelines.