Whately Select Board Approves New Early Voting Hours for September Primary

Overview: The Whately Select Board meeting on July 30 saw the approval of new early voting hours for the upcoming September primary, the establishment of an energy storage system study committee, and discussions on various community projects and concerns, including fireworks awareness messaging and the allocation of ARPA funds.

Whately Select Board Advances Digital Equity and Environmental Initiatives

Overview: In a recent Whately Select Board meeting, discussions centered on several community issues, including advancing digital equity, appointing new board and committee members, addressing environmental concerns, and managing public safety in regards to fireworks. The meeting resulted in the board moving forward with a Digital Equity plan presented by Ted Harvey from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, appointment decisions, and support for environmental legislation.

Whately Library Board Addresses Misrepresented ADA Compliance Visit

Overview: The Whately Library Board’s recent meeting unveiled a concerning incident involving an individual who posed as an ADA compliance advisor but was later found to be unaffiliated with any official agency. This revelation was among the top concerns at a meeting that covered a variety of topics, including library finances, maintenance issues, and future programming.

Whately Committee Explores Cost-Saving Roofing for Historic School

Overview: In a recent Whately Community Preservation Committee meeting, discussions centered around the restoration of the Center School, with a focus on finding cost-effective solutions for roofing. The committee considered a substitute slate material called Da Vinci, which may reduce the restoration expenses from the originally estimated $330,000 to potentially around $160,000, excluding structural work. This alternative has been accepted by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and comes with a 50-year limited warranty. Enquiries about the use of Community Preservation Act funds for barn restoration were also addressed, with the emphasis on ensuring any funded projects serve a public good and are unique historically.

Whately Evaluates Electric Future: EV Fleet and Charging Stations Discussed

Overview: In an effort towards sustainability, the Whately Select Board discussed the potential transition of the town’s fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of EV charging stations. The meeting, spanning various topics, devoted considerable attention to a report by W and Samson on the town’s readiness for embracing electric mobility.