The Town of Hubbardston Select Board voted to authorize staff to post a public hearing and seek Massachusetts Department of Transportation approval for a heavy-vehicle exclusion on the top portion of Brigham Road.

Patricia and the town administrator outlined the request as an effort to protect a deteriorating segment of Brigham Road and to reduce safety problems at a tight turn near the intersection with Route 68. Staff presented maps showing an alternative routing that would divert heavy trucks to Old Princeton and Evergreen and then onto Route 68.

Travis, the DPW superintendent, confirmed the proposed exclusion limit would be 2.5 tons. Board members and staff said MassDOT reviewed the materials and indicated the Evergreen bridge could accept the rerouted traffic. Staff recommended posting a formal public hearing (proposed date: Oct. 20) to gather public comment and to seek the state's approval to post signage and enforce the exclusion.

A motion to proceed with scheduling the public hearing and to move forward with the MassDOT heavy-vehicle exclusion process carried without objection.

Ending: Staff will post the formal hearing notice, coordinate with MassDOT on required steps and signage, and return with public comments and an application for the exclusion to the Select Board.