Select Board approves land swap and forest reserve grant, advances federal policy framework.
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, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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