Select Board adopts charge for Meeting House Preservation Committee; accepts applicants, sets application timeline

The Town of Hubbardston Select Board voted to adopt a charge establishing a Meeting House Preservation Committee and authorized staff to post the charge and accept applicants ahead of the Oct. 6 Select Board meeting.

The charge, as approved, allows the committee to be five or seven members (the board will select the final number after reviewing applications). The committee charge also includes language that a quorum will be 51% of currently filled seats rather than a fixed majority of authorized seats; that wording was added to avoid future quorum problems if seats become vacant.

The town administrator said four applicants had already expressed interest. The board directed staff to set an application deadline at least one week before the Oct. 6 meeting so the Select Board can review applicants and appoint members at that meeting. The charge requires at least one member with a demonstrated interest in historic preservation; the draft encourages representation from boards with relevant expertise but does not lock in seats by board.

A motion to adopt the committee charge with the quorum language passed. Board members discussed keeping the committee small enough to be workable (five members was the baseline suggested) while leaving flexibility to expand to seven if applicant interest warrants. The Select Board also noted the committee should meet at least quarterly and that the charge could be modified at the time the board reviews the applicant list.

Town staff will re-post the charge, accept applications through the deadline, and present the applicant list at the Oct. 6 Select Board meeting for final appointment.