[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111,123],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6126724,"mediaKeyId","2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576","parentId",2665910,"title","Votes at a glance: Select Board actions, March 17, 2025","audioSeconds",34,"startMs",737000,"endMs",771000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576&start=737&end=771","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576/thumbnail_737000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126724/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-actions-March-17-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126724-ab519c99776caa5ce699fddade7ee83f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770807808&Signature=MB-NH3I~jPbCuNuhx~L5GZEkJ8TGIhKZRjy16RkIMTIfUZUmE~QgQwedKUR868YYVQopYXA0YXsFshBGr3vcWhZzWmNEnKSW8BBPKHTaTSNYzGVEw1YCMxfKCBN9HJKZ27Qsz00F9mYK~XNvMjSJeiWSvbA0fBIE154xjAV0LmGfBu1iqwsKGz0GhgDhyQfjalLs5cAxmhYWs-Z~fbCJrcXeA~a-T-ZqQSd9RtbpOwtjqD3Uw2WUYlT-2W3xww427E1nPz-lzq3QGsrPLsGf~pvgvV5nIlNhtSN3ShqXh7vWEm8NIl3RZ5bwA7Q1gc91oim6KTgjbh8uQBd4-OZk4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hubbardston, MA","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Hubbardston Select Board took the following formal actions during its March 17, 2025 meeting. Where the transcript records the motion and a voice vote, the outcome is recorded below; the meeting transcript does not provide numeric roll-call tallies for all items.

• Consent agenda (motion to accept consent agenda excluding Feb. 18 minutes): Motion made and seconded; board voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved. (The board first approved the consent agenda while excluding the Feb. 18 minutes, then separately approved the Feb. 18 minutes.)

• Approval of Select Board minutes for Feb. 18, 2025: Motion made and seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved (transcript shows abstentions but does not list names or counts).

• Acceptance of the 2024 Annual Town Report: Motion to accept the 2024 annual report as presented; motion made and seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

• Authorization for Town Administrator to enter the DLTA grant agreement (Montachusett RPC) for two planning projects: Motion made and seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

• Tabling of the option on town-owned properties for further research and outreach: Correspondence submitted asking item be tabled; board accepted tabling and referred item to planning/open-space for further review. Outcome: tabled.

• Authorization to enter agreement with Charter Communications (Spectrum) to upgrade municipal internet service to the option presented (option 3): Motion made and seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

• Approval of Host Community Agreement (HCA) policy and application process: Motion made and seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

• Approval of address-change policy (allowing building commissioner to make emergency/sequence corrections, appealable to the Select Board): Motion made and seconded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

Notes and provenance: The transcript records motions, seconding, and voice votes for the items listed; numeric roll-call tallies and exact mover/second names are not consistently recorded in the transcript. Where the meeting record lacks explicit vote counts or mover/second names, the article records the outcome as stated (voice vote recorded as \"Aye\").","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hubbardston: Select Board 03.17.25","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and outcomes taken by the Town of Hubbardston Select Board on March 17, 2025, including consent-agenda approvals, annual report acceptance, contract authorizations, and adoption of policies.","taxTitle","Town of Hubbardston, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",61645,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126729,"Select Board adopts emergency address-change policy to allow building commissioner action",687,3242000,3929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576&start=3242&end=3929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576/thumbnail_3242000.jpg","/articles/6126729/Massachusetts/Select-Board-adopts-emergency-address-change-policy-to-allow-building-commissioner-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126729-0e1c7eef7960b552c56e757cbec7b5fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770807808&Signature=AvY7jmEI6a9GWOVL8LFRyuGUNXoh7lddv4zupQDx7EXweSYGt8ylzU0ZBzkIcTVTSgIu2MNM0jiciLHuVwO~X3WXfMZ~Hmpd~0IbVLkgN9HXC-TjehKZoOPwrwucng23KMoQr4CKbb3I3u0somwPXPWuRxEiCBysn~hQjvW0QxQGVECnUmL919x--a4sbxVX6dre3EMR43kwInOyyNNwQZSiUQ8T7FHUDIUzsGxKizb9ioZPhmDgdpL~8V6duWatsLCRL-XFJmL27Gc5MGfN3Dqw7kV1FeDBGuncbDqxkwnlYmFbzT96hUX0lt2ezfosCk5O9awDilcKwecNA8cMSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted March 17 to adopt a policy allowing the building commissioner to make address changes on an emergency or sequence-correction basis, with the Select Board retaining appellate authority.

Nut graf: The policy is intended to fix situations that could impede emergency response — for example, when lot splits or non-sequential numbering create ambiguity for responders — and provides a clear path for staff to apply corrective numbering without requiring lengthy board action for every such request.

Staff described recent instances in which parcel splits produced problematic addressing. The policy gives the building commissioner (or designee) authority to correct numbering where necessary for emergency response or safety; applicants may appeal the decision to the Select Board. “This gives Duffy the tool to make those type to accept those type of requests. And then if for any reason he does not feel comfortable or the applicant does not like his answer, they can appeal to the Select Board who has final decision,” Nate said.

The Select Board approved the policy by motion. The action does not automatically renumber any street; it provides a procedural mechanism for timely corrections and emergency sequencing fixes going forward.","The Select Board approved a formal address-change policy that empowers the building commissioner to make emergency or sequence-correcting street-number changes, with appeal to the Select Board if applicants or staff request review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126734,"Select Board approves host community agreement policy and application process for HCA applicants",270,2948000,3218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576&start=2948&end=3218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576/thumbnail_2948000.jpg","/articles/6126734/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-host-community-agreement-policy-and-application-process-for-HCA-applicants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126734-4ccbd7735d0dd3164248b498e500d756/orig.mp4?Expires=1770807808&Signature=KwcXSXbmkzD7aOY7JwpHhWT~OmGN5Kjse2ixCy8nUbFQW3Fx1bTBSHXpJziJhPbunjjMRp8XgLnFPa37nDrHsaJk8TvvPOo01YQ-BJMlxSwZeqPmrIMjrszWeyGif8EPih1Scsh0fhlVZ0GuHtSfKzrrsfvXOHRZLwvv48yLG77WBiM7PCOQMnqh~3MhCoD1YG2ejckbdBElqoWZsy9yQWqUubA-VwHNYpstvVeCp4LPy14ls9vRm2zPeYND-w6JrTCTseBnKrb-CuErtuLeOvq75DlvAJOS4XCvmp2Pth21jENACyZMt5eP2R-ybSDfxJae2fcrX8Eo6ou2bMpYWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted March 17 to approve a Host Community Agreement (HCA) policy and an accompanying application process intended to standardize how the town evaluates and negotiates agreements with potential marijuana facility applicants.

Nut graf: Staff presented a draft policy and a condensed process summary; the policy uses criteria and a scoring-style review to guide board decisions and preserves the Select Board’s authority to choose whether to enter an HCA with an applicant.

Nate and staff briefed the board on the policy’s intent to require an application review fee (the draft follows comparable fees used elsewhere) and to include social-equity and other statutory criteria in evaluation. One Select Board member expressed concern that scoring could be subjective; staff replied that the goal was to set minimum thresholds and a clear review pathway so applicants arrive prepared for board consideration.

The Select Board adopted the HCA policy and directed staff to use the process in handling any future HCA applications. The action does not itself approve any particular HCA or license application; it sets the town’s internal review and fee policy for applicants seeking a local host-community agreement.","The Select Board approved a formal Host Community Agreement (HCA) policy and application process to guide potential marijuana facility agreements and ensure consistent evaluation criteria.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126739,"Town report flags high power bills; Select Board hears energy-audit findings and plans for solar, generator feasibility",0,1939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576&start=1939&end=1939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576/thumbnail_1939000.jpg","/articles/6126739/Massachusetts/Town-report-flags-high-power-bills-Select-Board-hears-energy-audit-findings-and-plans-for-solar-generator-feasibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126739-c34ab4f0a7fdd0bee3ed26858d8ecce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770807808&Signature=MDJiMfCKS9NmLkTzd1VuR3iPO7itlnlQBnUO1ZdRqeYfsH6Xd7BLUsC2u39ARYLksNq9mFh304uOEE76N3ydrXbN7NTUknA9OyHvxTg2Chz2jnaK8aQOwOBNUBtvPE3wAjS8lVL5uaEyVE87kh6ziEwJDEr0bTlThU~gGsdQNlCqIK2slPBF2bdfL1U3MoASPnMaVxhJJflq4z9O-5~CjwBLvsdWvHAbH4CshHpAEIod8VOfQWJulMYtDsaOLkJ6vMahTh9z4xkzPsW6PcU7tcIoeNemuLBf27r4FTkkNALlbUBfICuF~--WmL6lNpRSBMIjEi2rYiIGYgwyQRh5zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hubbardston’s town administrator told the Select Board March 17 that a preliminary energy and utility audit shows roughly $83,000 in annual electric costs spread across 16 municipal accounts. The report played into a broader discussion about pursuing state-funded feasibility work for solar installations and standby generator upgrades to make Hubbardston Center School usable as an emergency operations center.

Nut graf: Staff framed the audit as a starting point for efficiency measures and grant-seeking. The board was told the town will pursue Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant opportunities to evaluate solar on school roofs and at 48 Gardner Road and to study whether generators could be sized and arranged to support emergency operations.

Town Administrator Nate walked the board through account-level figures and a set of next steps: call MassSave for a building assessment, change flood and exterior lighting to dark-sky-compliant LEDs, and pursue two regional MVP applications — one with Hardwick/CMRPC for school rooftop solar and a generator at Hubbardston Center School, and a second MVP application for feasibility of solar and a generator at 48 Gardner Road. “This is all something I'm looking into,” Nate said, “This was a beginning of a conversation that I'm going to bring back up several times… you will have this in your inbox.”

Board members discussed specific problems at 48 Gardner Road: the facility has multiple electric meters (staff said seven meters are associated with the building and exterior lights) and an especially bright floodlight that local residents say shines into a neighboring house; staff will explore tilting or replacing the fixture. The town will also prioritize quick wins such as switching exterior floodlights to LEDs and evaluating lighting placement to reduce glare and lower costs.

The administrator said the MVP feasibility funding would pay for professional analysis; construction or equipment purchases would require subsequent approvals and funding. The Select Board did not vote on grant applications at the March 17 meeting; staff were authorized to continue research, to seek MassSave assistance, and to present firm grant proposals and cost estimates at future meetings.","Town Administrator presented an energy audit showing roughly $83,000 in annual electricity costs across 16 municipal accounts, outlined proposals to pursue MVP grant-funded solar and generator feasibility studies, and identified immediate fixes such as LED floodlight replacements at 48 Gardner Road.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126744,"Select Board approves Charter upgrade for town internet at $11 monthly increase",36,1186000,1222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576&start=1186&end=1222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","/articles/6126744/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-Charter-upgrade-for-town-internet-at-11-monthly-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126744-e3e970a60dae865b99a722bdf91fd037/orig.mp4?Expires=1770807808&Signature=HAsdAFGIwuGvgWDggCsAH34P7HEgQYCIz2cz3hWVHyVmAU~LHJfO-mGReqWNoxWgLaIw-dIkQ5jNFbO8DCxLj7bc4UdZ0VZex3hCIKvTu45j7jwbshrf8RTyS0ClMzHZ1FMo6nHRUOnXIOpqG~5pA5b5RY~x0mHcayT~jH8~yYoY9T0YaN-Zrx-FVcOKUB0lzvz2MBQgpgghmiiXbWkDiRWlyokVveIUscyx1OUcR1E~BbcuPqcx7PThkx3k-7oxJzFJLv73RbXzPNd-e3AuoZKNUfOXUZpMUBfbXnMT4jOnrbLa2kme8P9dtFuoZwigLOh27JdARXeAOpVkSPf96g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board voted March 17 to authorize the town administrator to enter an agreement with Charter Communications (Spectrum) to upgrade the town’s internet service. Town staff presented a single-line cost comparison and told the board the town could increase capacity “five times” for an additional $11 per month.

Nut graf: The board approved the low-cost upgrade to improve connectivity across town facilities; staff said the $11 monthly increase covers all buildings and will be implemented by the town administrator.

Town Administrator Nate summarized the recommendation: “Long story short, we can get five times our Internet for $11 a month additional… $11 a month total.” After a brief discussion the board moved and approved a motion authorizing Nate to sign the Charter agreement for the option presented.

The upgrade is an operational expense for improved bandwidth and was presented as straightforward by staff. The board did not attach conditions in the meeting; any future changes will come back as a contract action for the Select Board to review.","The Select Board voted to authorize the town administrator to sign an agreement with Charter Communications to upgrade municipal internet service; the board was told the increase is $11 per month for improved capacity across town buildings.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6126749,"Select Board authorizes DLTA grant work on commercial district and 21 Gardner Road feasibility study",52,1063000,1115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576&start=1063&end=1115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665910-c3e5067f997e97a61f7068364a2dc576/thumbnail_1063000.jpg","/articles/6126749/Massachusetts/Select-Board-authorizes-DLTA-grant-work-on-commercial-district-and-21-Gardner-Road-feasibility-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126749-b837c5b03454d5f2350456271fedf34c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770807808&Signature=ZEikIRRRJ9U9c6aVP~zMhdPlEdaurJogLjwoxNauIsW665T9pCFHMbcNWEo3cefUHVTfAIIpOMkko81TBVuqPIdspPSgLLbjrm5-OLmSSYNHxItWrjVg7HJ51VC-u-szfOovpSJqTM42Opa23UAT~w5A9nJ6OQYkFsqV6ckuAACSAGs2bgTUUlOHdWaW8XLLKgP7F4CW0AcduXMTtvjqNjS6LK0a~eKC5mqzIOrKbhCwmwjjMJLL6LaW30CeBaIUFt96F9j9V2Og2IjNqpIXSO8u~poXmstcPuZ4svd21rpQ25ujSzFk48kooaybei4vgtJicPPS38gwhekvew-1Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hubbardston Select Board voted March 17 to allow the town administrator to enter into a District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) grant agreement with the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission. The town will use roughly $15,000 in DLTA funds to study enhancements to the commercial district and to assess the feasibility of development or reuse options for a municipal lot at 21 Gardner Road.

The projects are planning and feasibility studies, not construction approvals. Town Administrator Nate told the board the town planner’s time would be used as a match to increase what the town could accomplish with the award. “So the two projects are looking into the enhancements and expansion of the commercial district and looking into the feasibility of being able to do something on 21 Gardner Road, which is the municipal-owned lot across from the Curtis Recreational Field,” Nate said.

Nut graf: The DLTA program provides technical planning assistance through the regional planning commission; the Select Board’s authorization lets staff formalize the agreement and launch the two planning efforts ahead of the annual town meeting and related public outreach.

Board members asked no substantive questions before moving to authorize the agreement. The Select Board’s action was a vote to empower the town administrator to sign the DLTA agreement and proceed with kickoff work with MRPC and the town planner.

Background: DLTA grants are commonly used by towns in the Montachusett region to fund planning studies that feed into zoning updates, grant applications and capital planning. The board will receive and review any resulting reports before considering regulatory or capital steps.","The Select Board authorized the town administrator to accept a $15,000 DLTA grant through the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission to study commercial-district enhancements and feasibility for reuse of the municipal lot at 21 Gardner Road.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Select Board actions, March 17, 2025

Select Board adopts emergency address-change policy to allow building commissioner action

Select Board approves host community agreement policy and application process for HCA applicants

Town report flags high power bills; Select Board hears energy-audit findings and plans for solar, generator feasibility

Select Board approves Charter upgrade for town internet at $11 monthly increase

Select Board authorizes DLTA grant work on commercial district and 21 Gardner Road feasibility study