LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 

 

Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.

 

Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 

 

The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.

 

Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 

 

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.

 

Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.

 

Finance Committee member Kristen Tool said she was not supporting spending on any vehicles and that the departments should take a look at what they have and utilize them to help with the budget. 

 

The town passed the two articles for funding a new fire truck, which led to applause from the audience.

 

The Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive, the town voted to approve the department's truck as well.

 

Select Board Chair Deborah Maynard told the audience she was voting no on Article 17 for a replacement of a police vehicle for $80,000. The Finance Committee also did not recommend the article, with Chair Lyndon Moors saying they asked to defer a year because of the expected higher tax rate and since the lose of the Baker Hill Road District Fund that would have paid for half of the cruiser.

 

Police Chief Rob Derksen said mileage on the cruisers are all over 200,000, with one being over 300,000. He said the department was down to two vehicles because three were in the shop and he is already over budget for vehicle maintenance. He also said it may cost more next year to replace a vehicle as prices are going up.

 

Town meeting approved the new cruiser in a close vote.

 

Other free cash proposals approved include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles and $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof.

 

Ray Jones, a former Finance Committee chair, motioned to amend the amount of free cash to reduce the tax levy from $200,000 to $300,000 but the amendment failed. 

 

Planning Board Chair Courtney Dondi introduced each bylaw for short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units, and signage.

 

After much discussion, and a failed attempt to remove registration requirement from short-term rentals, that bylaw passed. 

 

The new bylaw will formally allow the rental units in the town and require they be registered and comply with state building codes and tax requirements as well as local noise and parking standards.

 

They will also be regulated based on zoning districts, where all but residential will be allowed year-round and residential zones may be operated up to 180 days per year.

 

The ADU bylaw will be amended to comply with the state's Affordable Homes Act, allowing them by right. Some things to note in the bylaws are that a detached dwelling unit cannot be larger than 1,200 square feet of gross floor area, or half the size of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller. A detached ADU within a half-mile of an active bus route will not require a parking space.

 

The signage bylaw was amended to clarify the language. Signs require a permit from the building inspector, with a plan and description submitted by the property owner. In residential and residential A zones, signs pertaining to use of lot or building can be not more than two with a total area of two square feet in the R district and 20 square feet in RA district. 

 

Business and industrial zones are one freestanding sign per lot, plus building-attached signs with total area limits per business. Mixed commercial districts allow signage by special permit from the Planning Board, based on a signage plan consistent with the area's character. Temporary signs must not obstruct traffic or internal circulation.

 

Both the short-term rental and signage bylaws were amended by the Planning Board because of disputes between the building inspector and local businesses.