Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Selectboard Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charlemont Selectboard backs recreation-tax testimony, adopts cannabis host plan and notes federal fire-truck earmark
Summary
On Jan. 26 the Selectboard authorized a unified recreation-tax letter, adopted a cannabis host-community plan, approved a recruitment contract for a shared fire chief, and was informed that a federal earmark would cover 75% of a planned fire truck cost; a projected 35% health-insurance increase was added to the budget.
At its Jan. 26 meeting, the Charlemont Selectboard approved several administrative actions and heard updates on budget and public-safety items.
Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds briefed the board on District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) options and recommended prioritizing the West County Regionalization Initiative and a Roadway Speed Study already underway; she suggested asking the Board of Health to select a third DLTA project such as work on abandoned and distressed properties. Selectboard member Kim Blakeslee expressed interest in a Pollinator Habitat Plan.
Reynolds said a legislative hearing on a proposed recreation tax would be held Jan. 27 and encouraged written testimony; she said submissions are accepted for up to 53 days and separate letters are encouraged. The Selectboard agreed to sign a unified letter and the Finance Committee will submit a separate collective letter. Jared Bellows moved that the board sign the Recreation Tax letter; Kim Blakeslee seconded and the motion passed unanimously (Wilder Sparks—Aye).
On budgeting, Reynolds reported that the town already included a mid-year health-insurance increase of 20% in the budget and anticipates an additional 15% increase, for a total projected increase of about 35%. She said the town’s insurance trust has hired consultants and is negotiating with pharmacy benefit managers and insurers; further discussion will continue through the budget season.
Reynolds also reported a federal fire-truck earmark through Congressman Neal’s office included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture portion of the federal budget; the earmark would cover 75% of the vehicle’s cost with the town responsible for the remaining 25%. She said she has contacted the USDA representative to discuss next steps.
The board discussed a proposed shared Fire Chief arrangement with the Town of Rowe and reviewed a proposal to hire a consultancy to assist recruitment (vetting, assessments and ranking). Reynolds said current Fire Chief Dennis will extend administrative support for approximately three months and will not engage in active firefighting duties during that period. Jared Bellows moved to contract with the recruitment firm; Kim Blakeslee seconded and the motion carried unanimously (Wilder Sparks—Aye).
On policy, Reynolds presented a draft cannabis host community agreement template and said Planning Board zoning edits would be minimal. Jared Bellows moved to adopt the host community plan; Kim Blakeslee seconded and the motion carried unanimously (Wilder Sparks—Aye).
The board also agreed to send a letter regarding the replacement of Representative Blais amid concerns about the lack of district representation until the November election; they approved appointing Gordon Hathaway to the Capital Improvement Committee and agreed that Wilder Sparks will represent the Selectboard at a Feb. 5 School District meeting about a 2D8T plan addressing building reuse and regional agreement changes.
The Selectboard approved the Jan. 5 and Jan. 12, 2026 minutes with noted revisions, approved payroll and vendor warrants, and adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Actions recorded in the meeting included motions to sign the recreation-tax support letter, contract for fire-chief recruitment services, adopt the cannabis host-community plan, send the Representative Blais replacement letter, appoint Gordon Hathaway to the Capital Improvement Committee, approve minutes and warrants, and adjourn the meeting.
