Worthington board reprioritizes bylaw work: solar rules, scenic-road procedures and master-plan ideas

The Worthington Planning Board shifted its short-term priorities at a June meeting, placing solar-related bylaw revisions and clarifying special-permit language near the top of its to-do list while keeping longer-term items such as a master plan and scenic-road procedural changes on the ongoing list.

Members said they will review model bylaws from the Department of Energy Resources and templates from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and will re-engage town counsel (Ben Brown) and town council for legal guidance before recommending significant permanent changes. The board discussed creating thresholds (for example, by project size or square footage) that would trigger a higher level of review for larger commercial or industrial projects while limiting burdens on small businesses.

Scenic-road procedures and tree-notice requirements also drew sustained discussion. Members noted the current posting and tree-tagging requirements are onerous for limited staff capacity and can impede routine highway work; they discussed options to preserve public notice while making the process workable for the highway superintendent and for projects requiring tree removal.

The board also touched on broader planning topics such as master planning and possible state grant programs (a "one-stop" grant) that could fund planning work or capital improvements. Members noted master-plan work typically sits with the select board and requires outside funding or consultant support.

The meeting included no formal bylaw vote; members agreed to follow up with counsel and to return draft language for joint review at a future meeting.