GOSHEN — Goshen residents approved a $4.2 million fiscal year 2027 budget during annual Town Meeting last week, while also passing all but one article that would have established a municipal light board.
“Both the town accountant and town counsel advised that the town hold off on this [Article 9] for now until a few more details get ironed out,” Town Clerk Kristen Estelle said. “Both the general budget and the enterprise budget were passed with some adjustments made between line items in the general budget.”
Among minor amendments to the general government portion of the budget, a motion was made and seconded to transfer the remaining assistant tax collector salary, totaling $2,213, to the town collector salary line.
This was done since the town collector is currently performing the duties of assistant in addition to her role, and there are no current plans to hire an assistant.
Other articles approved include one measure that allows a number of town boards and committees to appoint members if there are vacancies, and a bylaw amendment that allows the town to set pay rates for the police chief and constable separately.
Additionally, voters OK’d an “Earth Moving Bylaw” that lays out a protocol for how people seeking to blast or move significant amounts of earth should notify neighbors within 500 feet and town officials, along with a related zoning amendment that abutters would receive 24 to 48 hours notice before blasting, the fire chief would be informed on the morning of the blasting, and an annual permit would be procured.
Chesterfield master plan survey results
For the past 30 years, the same master plan has guided the town’s journey into the future. But that plan has been updated after completion of a community survey last month. The survey received 191 respondents, of which 98% are homeowners.
Environmental resiliency proved to be a top concern, with economic development being a low-tier priority.
Residents expressed strong support for preserving farms and woodlands, small business development and limited mixed-use development, while respondents expressed much less support for major changes. A recurring concern was balancing growth with preservation of the town’s rural character.
Priorities for the next decade include a focus on natural resources, roads and transportation and maintaining open space. The most requested improvements included restrooms, seating areas, a winter skating rink and a pavilion or gazebo at Russell Memorial Park.
The town must still decide how to utilize the property at 6 North Road. Those who filled out the survey thought the site may be appropriate for a public safety complex or town offices, both of which are in dire need of being replaced. Other ideas included making the space a community garden or selling the property to alleviate tax burdens.
Meanwhile, a majority of residents, or 68%, felt that town leadership could be more engaging. In the survey, residents expressed a desire for more communication and transparency, meeting accessibility and increased fiscal management. Nonetheless, many residents also expressed appreciation for town employees and volunteers.
Williamsburg Cultural Council grants
WILLIAMSBURG — Local artists and politicians are set to come together to celebrate 28 artistic grants totaling $5,900. The grants support a variety of community events and projects, ranging from the Anne T. Dunphy’s spring musical to the Alchemy Lab at Meekins Library.
The celebration will take place on May 30 beginning at 1 p.m. in the Meekins Library, featuring remarks from Paul Wetzel of the Select Board and state legislators Sen. Paul Mark, D-Peru, and Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton.
The funds were distributed by the Williamsburg Cultural Council, one of 329 such councils in the state that appropriate state funds for community-based events that celebrate art or science.
Awardees, both in Williamsburg and neighboring towns, include:
- $400 for the Anne T. Dunphy Spring Musical
- $200 to Davis R. Bates III for “Celebrating the Season: A new England Heritage.”
- $200 to Jennifer Black for “Community Sing Alongs.”
- $300 to Theresa Burke for, “The Viking Runestone Volume 8.”
- $200 to the Chesterfield Fourth of July Association to fund their Fourth of July parade.
- $150 to the Collaborative for Educational Services to fund a “Creative Movement,” program.
- $200 for Collider Music and Food Inc. to fund, “Secret Planet Presents.”
- $200 to Louise Coombe for her workshop and performance of, “Writing Stories into Song.”
- $300 to the Cummington Village Church to fund “Friday Night Cafe.”
- $200 to Luke DeRoy for “Red Loves Blue.”
- $200 to Matthew Emmer for the, “Matt Emmer and Friends Concert.”
- $400 for the Hampshire Music Boosters’ 2026 Spring Musical.
- $150 to Lisa Hersey for “Stitched Journals.”
- $200 for Hilltown Theatre Anonymous for their performance, “The Winter’s Tale.”
- $200 to Hilltown Village Incorporated for their “Wiggles and Giggles Music Class.”
- $200 to Rebecca Hollingsworth for “Community Contra/Barn Dance.”
- $200 to Miana Hoyt Dawson for the 2026 Season Celebration of Artisans, Farms and Producers.
- $200 to Rachel Leader for KlezCummington.
- $200 to Helene Leue for “Community Square Dance.”
- $200 to Alexis Major Jameson for “Dances in the Orchard at Meekins Library.”
- $200 to Roslyn Malkin for “Craving a Little Peace and Joy in Your Life?”
- $200 to Llama Mynard for “Stars Above Williamsburg.”
- $150 for an Alchemy lab at Meekins Library.
- $200 to the Plainfield Congregational Church for “Plainfield Concerts at 7.”
- $200 to Natasa Polovic to fund, “Community Yoga with Natasa.”
- $150 to the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center, Inc. for, “Explore the Fauna and Flora of the Chesterfield Gorge.”
- $150 to Edward Timmons to fund, “The History of American Popular Music and How it has Helped to Connect our Multicultural Society.”
- $150 to Lara Tupper for, “How to Face Writer’s Block.”