During a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan, a critical initiative aimed at securing grants for trails, open space improvements, and acquisitions. The previous plan expired in 2018, and efforts to renew it were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town is now poised to restart the renewal process, having received assistance from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's District Local Technical Assistance Fund. This funding is expected to support applications for additional state grants, including those focused on planning assistance and accessibility evaluations for public parks and spaces.

Officials expressed optimism about launching the updated plan in the fall, potentially aligning it with a broader master plan update. The previous plan's development involved a small committee comprising members from various boards and citizen representatives, and a similar structure is anticipated for the new initiative. Enhanced staff involvement is expected to streamline the writing process, which will likely be managed by the planning office in collaboration with regional planning resources.

The committee will focus on assessing changes since the last plan, gathering public input through community meetings and surveys, and ensuring that the updated plan meets current needs and standards.