Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves National Grid pole, appoints Betsy Gross to ZBA and signs shared animal-control contract
Summary
At its June 1 meeting the West Stockbridge Select Board approved placement of a National Grid pole at 15B Cross Road, appointed Betsy Gross as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, reappointed multiple committees, and authorized signing a shared animal-control contract; motions carried by voice vote.
The West Stockbridge Select Board completed a series of routine governance actions on June 1, approving infrastructure and personnel items on its agenda.
Pole placement: The board unanimously approved National Grid’s request to install a utility pole to provide service to 15B Cross Road after Stephen Hayward (National Grid) described the proposal and an on-site landowner said he had no objection. The board made and passed a motion to approve the pole placement.
Appointments and reappointments: Randy Thuners introduced Betsy Gross for appointment as a third associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals; Gross said she was happy to serve and the motion to appoint her passed unanimously. The board then moved through annual boards and committee reappointments; members discussed improving transparency and creating a rotating reporting schedule for committees to keep the Select Board better informed. A motion to reappoint the listed members (with noted changes) carried.
Shared animal-control contract: The board authorized the town to sign a shared animal-control contract (Lee as lead town). Members discussed how the contract interacts with annual appointment of an animal-control officer; staff indicated there is a review process involving all participating towns if issues arise. The motion to authorize contract signature passed.
Procedure and minutes: The board also reorganized (appointing Kathleen as chair for the session) and approved minutes from April 27, 2026.
No controversial votes were recorded on these items; board actions were taken by voice consensus or unanimous vote as noted on the record. When board members raised governance concerns — notably about past water and sewer rate increases that some said had not come before the Select Board — members agreed to pursue improved board-committee communications moving forward.
Next steps: Staff will file signed contract documents and post appointment records in town minutes. For items that require follow-up (for example, committee-reporting schedules), staff will propose a timetable for board consideration.
