Deadlocked Select Board Fails to Endorse 105-Unit Carriage Grove Housing Project

BELCHERTOWN — February 17, 2026 — Belchertown Select Board deadlocks 2-2 on letter supporting 105-unit Carriage Grove housing project. The February 17 vote to have Chair Lisa sign a Mass Development-backed support letter for a National Housing Partnership apartment development failed when one unnamed member said she needed more time to review the letter and had concerns about the funding structure, including potential Community Preservation Committee involvement. The board will revisit the vote at its March 2 meeting, when a grant application deadline in March 2026 looms. Separately, the board unanimously approved special municipal employee status for Conservation Commission, Memorial Committee, and Agricultural Commission members, and heard a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 overview from Library Director Cindy Harbison and Senior Center Director Jessica Langwise, who confirmed $50,000 in state funds has been awarded to develop a climate-resilient affordable housing trust bylaw for town meeting — with the potential to unlock MVP action grants of up to $3 million.