The Town of Hubbardston planning board said the town's revised bylaws have been approved by the Attorney General, and members discussed whether to pursue a bylaw amendment to require special permits for grid-scale battery energy storage.

Chair opened the planner's report by noting the Attorney General's approval of the bylaw package. Planning agent Alec Moore said the AG's review removed duplicate "single-family" references in the accessory-dwelling provision and confirmed that, as written, accessory dwelling units are permitted in most districts except the town center. "Your bylaw effectively allows it in all districts except for the town center district," Moore said.

Board members turned to whether the town should add a special-permit requirement for larger battery-storage installations. Moore proposed making grid-scale battery energy storage a tier 2 or tier 3 special-permit use in select districts, while the chair and other members cautioned that state jurisdiction thresholds could limit local control. The chair said any change of that scope would require an Article IV bylaw amendment, including public hearings and the Attorney General's review.

Members agreed to place the idea on a future agenda for formal drafting and public process rather than rushing it into the next town meeting. Moore said he would prepare preliminary language and return with a recommendation. The board did not take a formal vote on a battery-storage amendment at the meeting.

The meeting record shows the board approved prior minutes earlier in the session and adjourned at 7:08 p.m.