The affordable housing discussion emerged as a focus, with the committee clarifying its ability to request CPA funds directly for such initiatives. Contrary to previous assumptions, it was revealed that the CPC can indeed present an article to the town meeting to fund an affordable housing coordinator through Furcog. This proposed role would involve shared services across towns like Leverett and Shelburne Falls, assisting with advocacy, research, grant writing, and legislative tracking to support affordable housing goals.

A significant part of the dialogue revolved around the funding arrangement for the coordinator’s role. The committee discussed a cost-sharing model, where towns would collectively fund the coordinator’s services. Optimism was expressed regarding a major grant application by Furcog, submitted in June, aimed at piloting a regional housing coordinator program. If awarded, this grant would substantially alleviate the financial burden on participating towns. The committee considered the potential benefits of collaboration, emphasizing the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and expertise. Leverett’s established affordable housing committee was noted, with a possibility that Shutesbury might not need to form its own committee at this stage. Instead, the CPC or a subcommittee could manage housing-related initiatives. The committee agreed to revisit the idea of a dedicated housing committee in the future, depending on the outcomes of current efforts.

The meeting also dealt with updates on various ongoing CPA projects. The surfacing of a track and the installation of irrigation piping were highlighted as main tasks to be completed. The Cemetery Commission reported that work had begun in the West Cemetery, progressing on schedule. The Conservation Commission’s efforts, particularly the permitting for removing invasive buckthorn, were nearing completion, with phased removal planned for fall and spring. However, the South Brook Trail project faced delays due to a key commissioner being unavailable. The parking lot at the West Quabin Conservation Area was completed, and discussions on future CPA funding for trail development and signage improvements were underway. Another update involved the Lake Wyola Dam grant, where CPA matching funds successfully secured a state grant, with expectations of requesting a larger sum for further engineering and implementation.

In preparation for the upcoming October 16 public hearing, a draft notice was prepared, mirroring the previous year’s notice. The committee proposed conducting the hearing remotely, given last year’s low turnout, and agreed to announce it at the town meeting on September 30. The committee also discussed revising post-award guidelines and application instructions. A one-page guideline for grant recipients was suggested to clarify the funding access and reimbursement process. The committee considered eliminating the requirement for paper applications, opting for electronic submissions to streamline the process. Ensuring acknowledgment of submissions was deemed important, with the committee exploring ways to confirm receipt akin to the select board’s system.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the MN Spear Library building’s future. A new committee was tasked with evaluating the building’s reuse, potentially with CPA funding. The town meeting was rescheduled to the second Saturday in May, allowing more time for project preparation. The committee emphasized gathering input from town departments about their space needs to guide decisions on the library building’s use. Concerns about maintaining the library building included ensuring insurance coverage by keeping it in continuous use. The town is responsible for its maintenance, including security and monitoring for issues during periods of inactivity. The committee explored alternative funding sources beyond CPA for the library project, inviting committee members to contribute to ongoing discussions and planning efforts regarding both the affordable housing initiative and the library building’s future.