One focus of the meeting was the proposed bylaw to designate Shutesbury as a sanctuary community. This initiative, prompted by a participant named Penny Kim, seeks to prevent town officers from acting as immigration officials in non-criminal matters, particularly for individuals with pending asylum requests. Kim suggested using a similar bylaw from Amherst as a template, highlighting the growing trend among neighboring towns to support immigrant-friendly policies. The Select Board members considered the process for introducing such a bylaw, discussing whether it should be added to the town meeting warrant by the board or through a citizen petition. They emphasized the importance of consulting with the police chief and relevant town employees during the drafting process.

The board also deliberated on how to proceed with the sanctuary community initiative, with one member proposing the formation of an ad hoc group to draft the bylaw rather than forming a formal committee. This approach aimed to streamline the process while ensuring alignment with successful examples from other communities. The need for a clear timeline was underscored, with a draft bylaw expected by March. Additionally, the idea of creating a “Q&A” document to facilitate community understanding was discussed, acknowledging the importance of transparent communication with residents.

Equally pressing was the discussion surrounding the establishment of a Community Host Development Trust Fund, as requested by Senator Comerford’s office. This trust fund aims to compensate watershed communities like Shutesbury that protect the Quabbin Reservoir but do not benefit from direct access to its water. The proposed legislation would allocate $35 million annually to support local municipal needs and nonprofits, with additional representation from Hampshire and Franklin counties on the MWRA board. The board considered drafting a letter of support for the bill, recognizing the significance of advocating for local interests.

The meeting also addressed the logistical challenges of scheduling the town meeting, initially set for April 26, 2025. Concerns arose over the timing, particularly due to budgetary constraints faced by the regional school district. A suggestion to move the town meeting to May 10 was made, with the finance committee reportedly in agreement. However, the implications of changing the date were debated, including the costs of notifying residents and ensuring the availability of school facilities for the new date. Despite these challenges, the board recognized the need to make informed decisions to facilitate a smooth town meeting and budget process.

In addition to these major topics, the board discussed ongoing job advertisement efforts. They also provided updates on a Clean Water Trust loan, which had been secured to support approximately 70 homes in the area. This initiative, with a potential for loan forgiveness, was seen as setting a standard for rural communities and drew interest from other towns.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the transition of the town newsletter from a paper format to an electronic one, prompted by increasing postage costs and changes in editorial management. The board expressed consensus on the benefits of a digital format, while acknowledging the need to accommodate residents without internet access.