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Charlemont gets $409,223.75 from new Chapter 90 formula; Selectboard discusses $60,000 playground recommendation and fairgrounds work
Summary
Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds told the Selectboard Charlemont will receive $409,223.75 under a revised Chapter 90 formula; members discussed directing up to $60,000 of recreation earmark funds to playground equipment and the need for engineered drawings for fairgrounds improvements.
At the Aug. 4 Charlemont Selectboard meeting, Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds reported that a new Chapter 90 formula will provide the town with $409,223.75 for road and transportation projects this funding cycle, compared with roughly $170,000 under the previous allocation method.
Reynolds said the increase stems from a revised distribution formula. Board members discussed possible uses, including a stretch of North River Road near Sunburn Beach identified in prior speed and pedestrian-safety studies. Selectboard members agreed to coordinate final project ideas with the Highway Department before the Sept. 30 proposal deadline for MassDOT’s Local Early Actionable Planning program.
On recreation funding, Reynolds recommended allocating up to $60,000 from a recreation earmark toward playground equipment. Kim Blakeslee suggested the board gather information on how Buckland Shelburne Elementary raised funds for its playground and consult Christie Moore of Greenfield Parks and Recreation as a resource. Selectboard member Wilder Sparks emphasized that defunct playground equipment could harm the school’s ability to attract families and said he would look into Buckland’s approach.
Board members also discussed fairgrounds improvements, noting recent work on bathrooms and the parking lot and the need for engineered drawings and code guidance for the exhibit hall. Contractors will need accurate plans to provide reliable quotes; the board flagged potential requirements such as a sprinkler system or interior bathrooms that could influence cost estimates.
No votes were taken allocating Chapter 90 or recreation funds at the meeting; board members directed staff to refine project lists and seek additional information ahead of funding and grant deadlines.
