Select Board approves land swap and forest reserve grant, advances federal policy framework.
Belchertown Select Board unanimously advances land swap and forest reserves application. Town Planner Doug Albertson presented the land swap to resolve a driveway encroachment on Article 97 conservation land at Upper Gulf Conservation Area, with the resident's backland offering greater conservation
Select Board · Meeting of February 2, 2026
Belchertown Select Board unanimously advances land swap and forest reserves application. Town Planner Doug Albertson presented the land swap to resolve a driveway encroachment on Article 97 conservation land at Upper Gulf Conservation Area, with the resident's backland offering greater conservation value; the Board also authorized Grants Coordinator Dawn Cote to apply for a state Forest Reserves Grant for a 127-acre property acquisition near Route 202 North with streams, ponds, and public access. The Board approved a revised policy restricting official Select Board commentary on federal matters to those with direct, material impact on Belchertown, and appointed Marc Terry of Stone, Chandler & Miller, LLP as labor counsel at $260 per hour for 18 months.
HR Director Joanne Cleveland reported that health insurance claims pressure from GLP-1 medications led to a mid-year increase and a preliminary 16 percent hike projected for July 1.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 508 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of February 2, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Belchertown meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Belchertown who follows town government? Share Townbrief Belchertown: they can sign up free.