Summary

Select Board Endorses 41-Article Town Meeting Warrant

BelchertownApr 21, 20261 min read

At a glance

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The Select Board voted 3-0 to endorse a 41-article warrant for Town Meeting, including a newly added article to transfer 10 acres to the EDIC and clarification that one school equipment lease will be paid from the existing operating budget. The Board also approved five duplexes near Federal Street and Pelham Road with no concerns, and declared most listed town parcels surplus.

Committees mentioned

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Select Board

Topics discussed

Budget & TaxPublic SafetyHousingUtilities

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What this means

Residents will see a 41-article warrant advance to Town Meeting; one article was removed, one was added, and Town Counsel reviewed the final version. The approved duplex proposal is expected to increase traffic by an estimated 0.12% and will use town water and sewer. The town also reported that its health insurance costs are expected to rise by approximately 12.5%.

Key decisions

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Approved the Annual Town Meeting warrant 3-0; the final warrant contains 41 articles, with one article removed and an article added concerning transfer of 10 acres to the EDIC.
Clarified that equipment lease or purchase costs in Article 13 will be paid from the School Department's existing operating budget, with no additional funding required.
Remanded the site plan application for five proposed duplexes near Federal Street and Pelham Road to the Planning Board with no concerns; the motion passed 3-0.
Approved a petition for National Grid to install one utility pole, P44-1, on Sabin Street; the motion passed 3-0 after the hearing was closed.
Declared the presented list of town properties surplus, excluding 251-125 State Street and 251-125.01 State Street; the motion passed 3-0.
Reappointed Anna Kuralt-Fenton as Animal Control Officer and Sarah Byrnes and Jessica LaBonte as Assistant Animal Control Officers for terms running May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
Ratified Julie Meyer's appointment as Conservation Administrator, effective April 24, 2026.
Approved an Earth Day sign on the Town Common for the May 2, 2026, event.
Reported an estimated health insurance increase of approximately 12.5% for the town.

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