THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED WITH CLAUDE AI WITH A TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY CTSB TV, AND HAS BEEN CORRECTED, EDITED AND AUGMENTED.
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Convened: 5 pm
Adjourned: 7:54 pm
LINK TO CTSB VIDEO OF MEETING
Highlights
Searles School hotel special permit rescinded, effective Dec. 31, 2026 (unanimous). The board can reverse the decision before year’s end if the developer shows meaningful progress, a financing package substantially in place, and a construction timetable. This came right after the board voted unanimously to waive attorney-client privilege and release the opinion of town counsel, Michael D’Ortenzio, of KP Law. That opinion said the town can’t compel development and couldn’t predict whether a court would find the permit vested based on work done on the property to date.
Cook’s Garage (426 Park St.) is uninsured, and the town will ask voters for cleanup money. After the Aug. 20 partial collapse into the Housatonic River, Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove recommended a three-phase plan: remove the hazardous debris in the river, stabilize the structure before winter, and sell the property “as is” through an RFP.
She’ll recommend a warrant article for the Oct. 19 special town meeting to fund the first two phases. No cost estimate exists yet. She said the building was never insured after the town took it in 2018, and she advised against draining the $1.1M capital stabilization fund.
Resolution supporting Temporary Protected Status for Haitian residents adopted (unanimous), as proposed by BRIDGE.
Interim Police Chief Adam Carlotto will be offered the permanent job. Hartsgrove is negotiating a contract, and a 10-year community policing survey is coming.
New $150,000 ADU loan program announced. It offers 0% loans, forgivable after 10 years, for accessory dwelling units rented to income-eligible households.
South Main Street / Reed Street crosswalk concept endorsed (unanimous). The plan includes curb bump-outs, a raised crosswalk, rumble strips, and upgraded flashing signs. Hartsgrove also said there’s no backup documentation for the $171,000 crosswalk budget approved at annual town meeting.
The People’s Pantry is moving from St. James Place to South Main Street, hoping to open by the end of 2026. It now serves about 700 people a week.
Updated strategic priorities approved. Additions include downtown hotel zoning and possibly lifting the 45-room cap, faster return of tax-title properties to the tax rolls, business outreach, and an AI/surveillance-technology policy framework.
Key discussions (timestamped)
2:10:33 – Searles School / 79 Bridge Street special permit
Releasing the opinion (2:11:08–2:13:46): Town counsel said there was no defensible executive-session category for this, so discussing the opinion publicly meant releasing it. He warned that a released memo can later be quoted against the town in litigation. Chair Stephen Bannon said it was “the right thing to do.” The vote to release was unanimous.
Counsel’s summary (2:13:59):
The bylaw requires action within two years for a special permit to vest.
The case law is “clear as mud” on whether this is a permit for construction or a permit for use.
The developer can point to several actions as evidence of vesting: the sewer easement, the historical artifact inventory with the Historical Commission, asbestos and lead removal, and demolition of the gym and annex.
Even if the permit lapsed, the owner has no obligation to build.
Title history: the town sold the property in 2010 for $800,000. In 2016, River School Development LLC sold it to 79 Bridge Street Realty LLC for $850,000. The deed has no development covenants.
The permit was modified in 2019. It could be amended again with deadline conditions, as long as those don’t go below the bylaw.
The state recently rewrote the variance statute and “dropped substantially” the standard, so future developers might seek a variance instead of a special permit.
Bannon’s questions (2:20:48): He asked whether demolition counts as “construction.” Counsel said he would argue it doesn’t, but couldn’t predict how a court would rule.
The motion (2:25:38–2:28:13): Phil Orenstein said he admires the developer’s commitment to the town. He noted the permit’s original estimates of at least $450,000 a year in added tax revenue and about 30 full-time jobs. He argued that taking no action “enabl[es] a lack of progress.” He framed the deadline as a choice for the developer: litigate, or come back with evidence of progress. He also said lifting the hotel-room cap could change the project’s economics by removing the costly preservation requirement.
Vote (2:35:29): Unanimous. Bannon added that the original plan was a full teardown, and that the roughly $81 million in other downtown projects from the same era “are all done.”
Prior context, not in this transcript: at the July 6 meeting, developer’s attorney Kathleen McCormack attributed the delays and more than $1M in added costs to the facade-preservation requirement.
1:01:29 – Cook’s Garage, 426 Park Street
Timeline (1:03:00):
The town acquired the property through foreclosure on June 7, 2018. It sits directly on the river and is part of the Monument Mills complex.
A 2018 assessment found lead and asbestos, and 75% of one second-floor section was already inaccessible.
Four large above-ground tanks and some soil were removed in 2019–2020.
COVID paused the work. A market study followed in 2023, and HIC held a design charrette in 2024.
Work paused again when the previous town manager left in 2024.
The collapse: Select Board member Eric Gabriel alerted Hartsgrove on Aug. 20. Police drone footage was shown at 1:08:48.
Regulators (1:12:48):
Natural Heritage identified endangered species in the river. No debris removal can disturb sediment, and the town hasn’t been told which species.
MassDEP’s Sept. 2 letter designated this an urgent time-critical removal, with 30 days that can be extended by another 30.
Why no one has picked up the debris (1:14:44): It contains asbestos and lead. No DPW or fire staff hold the required certification, and Hartsgrove said she won’t put employees at risk.
Demolition cost: Estimated “in the multiple millions.”
Plan and timing: Hartsgrove meets with MassDEP next week on stabilization options. The RFP could launch around Jan. 1 (transcript garbled, verify).
Insurance (1:31:08): Gabriel asked. Hartsgrove said the building isn’t insured, and she’s still inventorying which other town-owned properties may lack coverage. Later (1:44:14), a staff member (likely Chris Rembold) said the town does carry general liability coverage and the building was probably uninsurable as property.
Public comment during this item:
Jim Bailly (1:30:00) said $200,000 in Smart Growth grant money that could have helped here was spent elsewhere.
Michelle Loubert called the lack of insurance “reckless and irresponsible” and asked for an immediate inventory (1:37:17).
A Cottage Street resident asked about town liability for riverside parcels listed as “property owner unknown” (1:42:49).
CPA eligibility: Asked about, but demolition is unlikely to qualify.
1:44:58 – Other brownfields
Former Reids dry cleaner site presented by Chris Rembold:
Multiple EPA grants have funded assessment and removal, including about 1,400 tons of contaminated soil taken out last fall.
The contaminant is dry-cleaning solvent, which sinks into groundwater. The site is in a Zone II aquifer recharge area.
A current assessment grant runs about two more years.
Two board members said the town should be ready to issue an RFP now.
347 Main Street (former gas station/Deli building across from Town Hall, 1:54:23):
MassDEP holds a substantial lien on the property.
The town doesn’t yet have title because the case is still in Land Court.
MassDEP recently said the site isn’t clean enough for closure.
Rembold confirmed the town didn’t authorize the rock garden now on the site. The owner of the adjacent 343 Main [Alander] built it.
17:26 – Haitian TPS resolution
Gwendolyn VanSant of BRIDGE presented.
The resolution cites the town’s Trust Policy (2017) and Trust Policy 2.0 (2026), plus the state PROTECT Act enacted Aug. 5.
BRIDGE works with about 66 Haitian community members: 18 in its farm program, 10 community stewards, and 3 staff. Eleven Haitian children attended its summer program.
Lina Maria Polo Caijao (BRIDGE) said:
Haitian workers help grow and package food reaching more than 100 families.
More than 12 work at Great Barrington hotels, bakeries, and farms.
About 20 are navigating the asylum process.
Other comment: Community member Erica Mielke spoke in support.
Vote: Unanimous.
33:30 – People’s Pantry move
Speaker: Silke Aisenbrey, the pantry’s VP of operations.
Why it’s moving: The pantry serves 10 times as many people as when it moved into St. James 10 years ago. Since mid-2025 it has served more children than seniors. About 55% of shoppers live in Great Barrington, roughly 5% of the town’s households.
New site: It has 17 parking spaces and a bus stop. The pantry is talking with neighbors, including Big Y, about overflow parking.
Plans: It may add distribution days. The biggest ask is a safe crosswalk.
Board requests: Bannon asked the pantry to return before opening. A board member urged a traffic plan with Hartsgrove and the police chief.
44:15 – South Main Street crosswalk
Consultant: Tighe & Bond.
Rejected option: A pedestrian island, because of turning radii at Reed Street and a nearby driveway.
Plowing: The raised crosswalk won’t affect snow plowing.
Not included: Lighting isn’t in the budget and would come in phase 2 through the TIP project, which has $300,000 in Chapter 90 funds set aside.
Bidding plan: Three base locations (South Main, Pleasant Street, and North Plain Road/Main Street) plus two alternates.
Vote: Unanimous endorsement of the concept.
2:24 – Town manager’s report
Ramsdell Library: The Massachusetts Historical Commission sent a letter on the renovation. It goes to a joint meeting with the library trustees on Sept. 22.
Sewer commissioners: Meeting Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. to cover rates, a special town meeting article, and a MassDEP nitrogen grant.
South County Connector: Several hires made. The regional transit advisory committee meets Sept. 16.
Community Care Team: First meeting held; next meeting Oct. 15.
Board and committee training: Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., covering open meeting, public records, and ethics laws.
Routine business
Minutes: July 6, Aug. 10, and Aug. 24 approved unanimously, with one member recusing on Aug. 10.
Licenses:
Temporary beer/wine license for Great Barrington Fish & Game turkey shoots, 338 Long Pond Road (verify), Sundays Sept. 20–Nov. 22. Unanimous.
Entertainment license for a Berkshire Velo cyclocross race at Butternut, 380 State Road, Oct. 3–4, with 150–200 attendees and no alcohol. Unanimous.
Cultural Council appointments: Two members appointed to terms through June 30, 2029. Sherry Steiner and John Segalla. Unanimous.
BRTA representative: Bannon appointed Phil Orenstein.
Library donations: $225 in memory of Carol Curtis, $250 from the Friends of the Libraries, and books valued at $28. Unanimous.
FY28 budget calendar (draft): The financial forecast meeting moves up to Oct. 5, and the classification hearing is Nov. 9. The calendar and the strategic priorities weren’t in the packet, and a commenter asked that both be posted.
Citizens Speak (2:37:44)
Donna Jacobs, library trustee (said 260 Park St.; your notes have 26), asked whether the trustees may raise funds. Bannon said they need more information, including from OCPF if a ballot question is involved.
Debra Herman (373 North Plain Road) asked the board to rename “Old Maids” park in Housatonic, calling the name offensive to women.
Michelle Loubert disagreed about the park name. She also reported cemetery potholes in Housatonic, supported the pantry move but opposed a steep raised crosswalk, and asked for a smart-meter information session.
Jim Bailly said he’s sought answers for 16 months. He alleged a $1.1M MassWorks grant tied to the 347 Main site and $196,000 in Smart Growth funds diverted to Prosperity Way, and said he was “lied to.” These are unverified claims.
A visitor from Florida asked to use the gazebo for seven minutes of silence on Sept. 21 (International Day of Peace). No vote was needed, and Bannon saw no problem.
James Garzon (84 North Plain Road) backed Bailey’s call for accountability and praised the permit rescission. He listed looming costs: the school, the wastewater plant, the Housatonic Water Works purchase, and PCB cleanup. The transcript ends mid-comment.
Next steps
Sept. 16 transit advisory committee · Sept. 17 sewer commissioners · Sept. 21 gazebo peace observance · Sept. 22 library joint meeting · Oct. 5 budget forecast · Oct. 6 board training · Oct. 15 Community Care Team · Oct. 19 special town meeting · Nov. 9 classification hearing · Dec. 31 Searles permit deadline · Pantry update before opening · Cook’s Garage RFP comes back for board and public review.