[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6565277,"mediaKeyId","3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b","parentId",3223728,"title","Planning board pauses scanner purchase decision pending revolving-fund reconciliation","audioSeconds",478,"startMs",5266000,"endMs",5744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b&start=5266&end=5744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b/thumbnail_5266000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565277/Massachusetts/Planning-board-pauses-scanner-purchase-decision-pending-revolving-fund-reconciliation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565277-8f07bb8252103132f21fdb2571fc1334/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432717&Signature=PFCggaw~-mY7tujLvcucwXC-tJV61qYxWabr5ILiDIKBeNhx15~VoNVSC1os29XMWL~HUmduYDb~7JGXRRnXtbmIszr~TMNnGGJAD8rDn2BGTxhlIAXrKGpV2itB2UFTRoQU6y3uoYBZsLWOEleC2Q9zH370hapocgPZ40rCOg4XEN3X1q-TRzkoAlNT84n~TY2Buj9KUUIHaRLRIw-4Cei6VDoZx1An-g63uaovlOnQ5W~b4UacDND24OiFJbfofd9sy0sf8M8oToK27~r7TpV9z5QnqlZj45vVlU7EFCSwogsE2brJK4kVWCupeE~B0~9HC9dN0cENwihJCqu2-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hubbardston, MA","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","Planning board members discussed a proposed shared purchase of a large-format scanner/plotter (cost quoted in packet at about $881 per board under a multi-board split). Board members said they generally favor having digitized plan records but asked staff to provide clearer information on: (1) the current reconciled balance in the planning-board revolving account; (2) whether existing electronic submission requirements for plans could eliminate the need for a scanner; and (3) a cost-benefit comparison of a one-time professional digitization versus board ownership of a scanner/plotter that also requires consumables and maintenance.

Members noted the town’s revolving account ledger had an unclear balance in the packet (one figure from February showed $9,850.99 but staff expected a lower actual balance given recent expenditures and uncollected fees). The board agreed it was not in good faith to approve purchase until the revolving fund balances and offsetting accounts are reconciled with the town accountant. Staff (Leanne) agreed to request an updated reconciliation and to present additional information about operational need and alternatives (contracted digitization, stronger electronic submission requirements) before the board takes a final vote.

The matter was left pending; members emphasized preference for requiring electronic submissions from applicants where possible and exploring a one-time professional digitization of legacy paper plans as alternatives to buying a scanner/plotter at this time.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hubbardston: Planning Board 5.7.25","oneSentenceSummary","Board members deferred a vote on joining a multi-board scanner purchase until the town accounting of the planning-board revolving fund is reconciled and until the board gets a clearer statement of the device’s benefits for planning operations.","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},6565280,"Planning board recommends grid-scale battery energy storage bylaw and simplified ADU rules for warrant",1861,3337000,5198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b&start=3337&end=5198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b/thumbnail_3337000.jpg","/articles/6565280/Massachusetts/Planning-board-recommends-grid-scale-battery-energy-storage-bylaw-and-simplified-ADU-rules-for-warrant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565280-5a5ab7fb644cc9d69cf5dcb56f7d88f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432717&Signature=IqXtX56n4bkkALxRn3DXyTAdIC4zNwvndtLEdpidVeDOOQtU0KX9DlnTeiaFPyLL4SQd-z4TBjm1r~9zKI~BWDPFlCVdL4jmpcbONb2uNy5ClJ3FbCXHgItAUnwO1DwkOgC6GdxqruLGYmETh8IbzJeRFGYUZk4yCNLan6Ai4a~8VI~L0cubjMwfmwg74Z~2trv08ON2jw-eyeBPOXb5reOr~S0w3goq7bOuj6Qe7HCwDARDryrqcRD7WiLyb4ubb6YbMi6ymp7RudlUMH0EUbYNGNzs1mYBWtNqfyPjyz~w1OPX~0QsNPsYQvD~kVbaBQCgP3kVL2E2WQRvhXnrOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hubbardston Planning Board voted to recommend two separate warrant articles: a revised Article 23 addressing grid-scale battery energy storage systems (GBESS) and a simplified Article 24 updating accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules to align with state requirements.

Alec presented the revised Article 23 and explained the title and text changes: the draft now uses \"grid scale battery energy storage systems\" in the draft title and clarifies treatment of different technologies and tiers. The draft removes technology-specific language and consolidates permitting and siting language. Board members and members of the public had earlier raised a versioning issue related to state guidance and attorney-general preclearance; Alec said some clarifying floor-amendment language may be required for Article 4 references and that the board would present any suggested floor amendment in advance to the Select Board.

The board discussed tiered treatment (Tier 1/Tier 2 systems), whether a special permit or by-right allowance would apply in certain districts, and consistent abbreviations: the board agreed to standardize references to the full phrase and to define an abbreviation (GBESS) where used. The draft also changes annual reporting to the fire department (rather than another office) and contains operator/owner-notification requirements for changes in ownership.

On accessory dwelling units, the board reviewed an amended Article 24 that was shortened and brought into conformity with the state CMR referenced in the packet. The planning board noted that Article 24 was eligible for Attorney General pre-review; staff said the changes remove sections invalid under state law and simplify the article.

A public commenter raised a question about the legal drafting term \"shall\" and recommended reviewing whether the language should use \"must\" in some places; the board acknowledged the comment and noted staff would follow up on legal style questions.

After edits and discussion the planning board closed the continued public hearing on these articles and voted to recommend both Article 23 (grid-scale battery energy storage) and Article 24 (ADU revisions) to the warrant.","The board voted to recommend a revised Article 23 that renames and clarifies provisions for grid-scale battery energy storage systems and to recommend a simplified Article 24 updating accessory dwelling unit rules consistent with state guidance.",{"_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},6565285,"Hubbardston planning board recommends trimmed site-plan rules and revised floodplain bylaw to town meeting",2881,375000,3256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b&start=375&end=3256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3223728-5a502f87d2172b0dfb240cdda7843a3b/thumbnail_375000.jpg","/articles/6565285/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-planning-board-recommends-trimmed-site-plan-rules-and-revised-floodplain-bylaw-to-town-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565285-72012da8ab49e1fb9be0001c1cf40301/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432717&Signature=ggxpbYF3Q02fK1weAjJH7bGOfCbhEzX0ZvgT21MUiK2dpzo3E48iqj7MsVljRXkmjWQ~q2mbMCihDEUU0xQcAtIqDdLvUBtLJwo7YJsutsXAV1UwZuI4bW668MABhvzugLjK76kRXtblI6qU8~wC5spMncYyfuF8-Bc~1edLQd60DLXjU9UjBxd2anMIsHzTKToSEfzYKQT4Y6kJyqt9mKw7w7WK8k4h1dKXnHWolkocnmzN~YXdIPWFtXLHi7CQR4B3O81Q37O9Lurx24XlR8~Y6Ns-JYdm-AIxGUbEe3XFUWt4WWtVAYM-lWng8g88FCvs~B6SmO6dcMvjb9wbBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hubbardston Planning Board on a voice vote recommended zoning bylaw changes that reorganize site-plan approval rules and revise the Flood Plain District to conform with state and federal guidance.

Planner Alec (Alec, town planner) told the board the packet contains a draft “site plan approval rules and regulations” intended to remove administrative detail from Article 9 and place it in a rules-and-regulations document. \"My proposal is that you remove the more administrative components of article 9 ... and create the administrative document,\" Alec said, arguing the change will make decisions easier to defend on appeal and reduce time spent at town meeting.

The change would shift items such as site-plan forms and content from the bylaw into an administrative rules document while keeping core decision rules in Article 9. The board discussed enforcement language and a monetary penalty referenced in the draft bylaw. A board member asked whether the $300-per-day continuing-violation penalty in what will be section 9.5 should go into the rules so it can be changed administratively rather than by future town-meeting bylaw votes. Alec confirmed that the town’s prior acceptance of noncriminal disposition enforcement allows fines, but advised the board that enforcement ultimately relies on the building commissioner or town attorney pursuing action in court.

On the floodplain article (Article 13), Alec urged adoption of the model provisions needed to maintain compliance with FEMA and the state model floodplain bylaw. He said falling out of compliance could raise flood-insurance costs for policyholders by roughly \"20%–25%,\" and added that the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) had flagged one provision where the town had been more restrictive than the model bylaw. The board discussed keeping or removing that higher-than-model standard. Planning staff reported receiving new FEMA flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and working with DCR on wording and numbering.

Board discussion led to a set of drafting decisions: move enforcement-dollar amounts into the rules where appropriate or reference them as set in rules; retain a prohibition on storage of salt, petroleum or other chemical products in the Flood Plain District (moved and renumbered into the draft); and strike or renumber redundant or overly restrictive provisions so language matches DCR guidance. The board agreed to remove a cross-reference problem and to ensure the subdivision rules and regulations cover any subdivision-specific floodplain requirements if those remain outside the bylaw.

After additional minor edits requested by members and by members of the public, the planning board waived reading the full articles, closed the public hearing on the zoning bylaw amendments and voted to recommend the revised Article 9 (site plan approval rules/regulations) and Article 13 (Flood Plain District) to the town meeting warrant as presented.

The board’s action is a recommendation to the Select Board/Town Meeting; the bylaws themselves would be adopted or rejected by town meeting and, as applicable, reviewed by the Attorney General.","The planning board voted to recommend amendments that move administrative site-plan detail into rules and regulations, clarify enforcement language and penalties, and adjust the floodplain bylaw to meet DCR and FEMA guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning board pauses scanner purchase decision pending revolving-fund reconciliation

Planning board recommends grid-scale battery energy storage bylaw and simplified ADU rules for warrant

Hubbardston planning board recommends trimmed site-plan rules and revised floodplain bylaw to town meeting