Middlefield, MA

Planning Board

Select Board

Planning Board

The Middlefield Planning Board and Selectboard will meet to review minutes, discuss correspondence, and receive updates on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and camping bylaws. The main item is a discussion of the clean energy bylaw, with a public input meeting planned, and attendance by Liam Gude from the PVPC and Doeg Finn from DOER.

• Review and approve minutes from Aug 10, 2026
• Update on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw
• Update on camping bylaw
• Discussion of clean energy bylaw and public input meeting
• New business not foreseen 48 hours in advance

Conservation Commission

The Middlefield Conservation Commission is meeting to handle routine business, including reviewing mail and approving minutes from the August 5 meeting. The main item is a discussion and potential action on a driveway violation at 0 Town Hill Road. The agenda also includes a placeholder for new business not anticipated 48 hours in advance.

• Review and approve minutes of August 5, 2026 meeting
• Discuss and move on 0 Town Hill Road driveway violation
• New business not foreseen 48 hours in advance

Select Board

The Middlefield Select Board will elect a chair, continue a dangerous dog hearing, and discuss or approve several operational items including transfer station fees, a planning board comment sheet, and a senior center project update with bid results and a sole source purchase approval. The agenda also includes updates on solar/battery storage, the 250th town celebration, town hall heat, and water test results.

• Continuation of dangerous dog hearing for Maureen and Alfonso Longobardi and Dennis and Sandra Segatti
• Senior Center Project Update including bid results and sole source purchase approval
• Discuss and potentially approve Transfer Station fees
• Discuss and potentially approve Planning Board Comment Sheet
• Water test results of Town Hall and Senior Center and next steps

Finance Committee

The Middlefield Finance Committee will elect a Chair and Secretary, approve prior meeting minutes, and hold a policy-focused discussion with Assessor Laurie LaFond on forecasting, reserves, and overlay policies. They will also review financial reports and a summary of a recent PILOT meeting.

• Election of Chair and Secretary
• Policy discussion with Assessor Laurie LaFond on Forecasting, Financial Reserves, and Overlay policies
• Review of Brent LeBeau's 2026 financial commentary and most recent financial reports
• Brief summary of July 24, 2026 PILOT meeting

Council on Aging

The Middlefield Council on Aging is meeting to review minutes, discuss capital projects not in the grant budget, and consider showing a Middlefield Memories DVD. The treasurer will confirm end-of-fiscal-year balances, and the director will report on grant project timelines and event relocations to Town Hall.

• Discussion of capital projects not included in grant money budget
• Proposed Middlefield Memories DVD and 4th Wednesday showings
• Treasurer report to confirm June 30 COA balances
• Director report on grant project timelines and relocation to Town Hall
• Recurring events: luncheons, blood pressure clinic, bingo, foot clinic

Capital Planning Committee

The Capital Planning Committee is meeting to continue reviewing and rating capital project data on a spreadsheet, align it with policy, and prepare a presentation for the Select Board. The agenda is procedural and contains no specific project names or dollar amounts.

• Continue reviewing data on spreadsheet
• Continue rating data in categories
• Align spreadsheet with policy
• Presentation to Select Board

Library Trustee

The Board of Trustees will meet to determine the total amount of grant funding to request and identify grant opportunities. The board will also review the monthly budget and discuss library programming and community engagement.

• Grant writing and funding request amounts
• Monthly budget review and expense identification
• Planning for library workshops, classes, and events
• Review of trustee meeting frequency
• Review and filing of financial paperwork

The Middlefield Library Trustees met on August 11, 2026, and decided to increase their meeting frequency to quarterly, with the next meeting set for November. They also discussed grant opportunities, reviewed the library's finances, and planned future programs. No formal votes were recorded; decisions were made by consensus.

• Agreed to meet quarterly, next meeting in November
• Discussed using Cultural Council grants for future events
• Reviewed budget: about $5,900 remaining, ~$590/month for books and supplies
• Planned to use $2,800 furniture money for new bookcases and a thermal printer
• Noted CWMARS dues of ~$470 due in September, to be paid from gift monies
• Expected ~$4,000 from State Aid to Libraries in April, to roll into next fiscal year
• Discussed ideas for fall programs, workshops, and speakers
• Assigned financial paperwork: Lois on Aris document, Tonya and Donna on State Aid financials

Planning Board

The Middlefield Planning Board is meeting to review minutes, discuss mail, and receive updates on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and camping bylaws. They will also discuss resources for members and a future clean energy bylaw, including a public input meeting. The agenda is largely procedural, with no votes or decisions listed.

• Review and approve minutes from July 27, 2026
• Update on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw
• Update on camping bylaw
• Discussion of future clean energy bylaw and public input meeting

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will meet to sign preliminary tax commitments for personal and real estate, discuss software conversion updates, plan field reviews, and review new growth and FY27 property values including Eversource.

• Sign preliminary tax commitments for personal and real estate
• Review FY27 values for personal property and Eversource
• Discuss new growth and value changes
• Approve past meeting minutes

Select Board

The Select Board will hold a dangerous dog hearing, receive updates on solar and battery storage and the 250th town celebration, and vote on early voting hours for the September 1 state primary. Other items include an administrative specialist job posting, a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes update, and approval of prior meeting minutes.

• Dangerous dog hearing
• Administrative Specialist job description and posting
• Payment in Lieu of Taxes update
• Solar and Battery Storage update
• Vote to approve Early Voting for State Primary: Saturday, August 22, 2026 (9-11 AM and 2-4 PM) and Monday, August 24, 2026 (1-6 PM)

Capital Planning Committee

The Capital Planning Committee is meeting to review its worksheet and policy. The body will discuss aligning the worksheet with policy and determine how to present information to the Select board.

• Review of worksheet and needed information
• Review of Policy
• Alignment of worksheet with policy
• Discussion on presentation to Select board

Planning Board

The Middlefield Planning Board meeting has no agenda available. The agenda text states there is no agenda and directs readers to review the minutes.

The Middlefield Planning Board elected Andrea Tosi as chair and Maureen Sullivan as secretary, and accepted the July 13 minutes. No substantive decisions were made; the board discussed a wildlife habitat comment period, a draft camping bylaw review, and preparations for a public meeting on solar development.

• Elected Andrea Tosi as chair (unanimous)
• Elected Maureen Sullivan as secretary (unanimous)
• Accepted July 13, 2026 meeting minutes

Conservation Commission

The Middlefield Conservation Commission will review mail, approve July 8th meeting minutes, and discuss a new business item regarding a driveway violation. No old business is listed.

• Discuss driveway violation

Select Board

The Joint Selectboard and Finance Committee will review and potentially approve several financial policies including procurement conflict of interest, reconciliation, tax enforcement, travel reimbursement, year-end closing, and tax recap. They will also take action on a change order for the playground at 169 Skyline Trail and on carry-over of unused vacation time for eligible employees.

• Change order on the playground at 169 Skyline Trail
• Review and possible approval of six proposed financial policies
• Action on carry-over of unused vacation time for those who receive it
• Review and sign-off on End of Year Transfers
• Update on Senior Center Project

The Select Board and Finance Committee approved the final End of Year transfer and approved two change orders for the playground project: $5,520 for drilling through ledge and $4,275 for safety material and site preparation. Several financial policies were either approved, revised, or referred for further input, and vacation time carry-overs were approved for four employees.

• Approved final End of Year transfer (unanimous)
• Approved playground change orders: $5,520 for ledge drilling and $4,275 for safety material (motion passed)
• Approved Procurement Conflict of Interest Policy with revisions (2-1, one abstention)
• Referred Reconciliation Policy to Accountant, Treasurer, Tax Collector for input
• Referred Tax Enforcement Policy to Treasurer and Tax Collector for input
• Approved Travel Reimbursement Policy with revisions (favorable vote)
• Approved Year End Closing Policy (favorable vote)
• Referred Tax Recap Policy to Assessors, Treasurer, Town Clerk, Tax Collector for input

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will elect a chair and secretary, assign member responsibilities, and discuss budget development policies including financial team management, excess spending, year-end closing, and forecasting. The meeting also includes a public comment period and introductions for new member Eric Main.

• Election of Chair and Secretary and assignment of member responsibilities
• Policy discussion on spending in Excess of Appropriations
• Policy discussion on Year-End Closing Policy
• Policy discussion on Forecasting
• Select Board has two year-end transfers following this meeting

The Middlefield Finance Committee met on July 15, 2026, and discussed budget development with Town Administrator Evan Kenney, including four recent policies. The election of the chair was deferred to the next meeting, with all members in agreement. No substantive decisions were made; the meeting was primarily informational and procedural.

• Deferred election of chair to next meeting (unanimous)
• Discussed budget development policies with Town Administrator
• No public comments offered
• No new business

Capital Planning Committee

The Capital Planning Committee will review an updated grid of capital project information and discuss when and how to present it to the Selectboard. No substantive decisions are listed on this procedural agenda.

The Capital Planning Committee voted to remove the AED (automated external defibrillator) line item from the Master Data Sheet after Ann Marie purchased four units at a cost under $10,000. The committee also discussed roof maintenance, equipment estimates, and Town Hall electrical system costs, but took no other formal votes.

• Eliminated line 18 (AEDs) from Master Data Sheet (unanimous)

Finance Committee

The Capital Planning Committee is meeting to review an updated information grid and discuss the timing and format of a presentation to the Selectboard. No decisions or votes are scheduled; the agenda consists of discussion items only.

• Review updated grid of information
• Discuss when and how to present to Selectboard
• Any unforeseen business in the last 24 hours

Planning Board

The Middlefield Planning Board will meet to discuss and potentially advance several bylaws, including accessory dwelling units, camping regulations, and a future clean energy bylaw. The meeting also includes routine items like welcoming new members and approving prior minutes.

• Update on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw status
• Continued discussion of camping bylaw
• Discussion of future clean energy bylaw

Council on Aging

The Council on Aging is discussing a proposed Middlefield Memories DVD to be shown at the DumpRunCafe, and a suggestion to begin showing a DVD on the fourth Wednesday after lunch starting in August. The board will also review the treasurer's report and confirm end-of-fiscal-year balances.

• Proposal to create a Middlefield Memories DVD for showing at DumpRunCafe on July 12
• Discussion of staffing food, coffee, and DVD playback at DumpRunCafe
• Suggestion to show a DVD on the 4th Wednesday after lunch beginning in August
• Confirm ending COA balances as of June 30 (end of fiscal year)

Conservation Commission

The Middlefield Conservation Commission will review a wetland violation involving a driveway on Town Hill Road. The meeting will also cover procedural items such as checking mail and reading minutes.

• Discuss wetland violation on driveway at 0 Town Hill Rd.

Select Board

The Select Board and Finance Committee will meet jointly to review proposed financial policies including grant management, forecasting, and spending in excess of appropriation. They will also consider carry-over of unused vacation time and vote to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board from three applicants.

• Review and vote on proposed Financial Policies: Grant Management, Financial Management Team, Forecasting, Overlay, Spending in Excess of Appropriation, Revenue Turnover
• Take action on carry-over of unused vacation time for eligible employees
• Review letters of interest for Planning Board position from Donald Trask, Raymond Schneller, and Irene Rodriguez-Martin and vote to fill vacancy
• Presentation from Gary Roux of Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on Scenic Byway designation
• Approve minutes of June 17, 2026 Select Board meeting

The joint Select Board and Finance Committee meeting heard a presentation on designating Skyline Trail as a scenic byway, with further discussion to follow. The board approved end-of-year transfers to fund police compensation, snow removal, and the disposal area. Irene Rodriguez was appointed to the Planning Board until the next annual election in May 2027, with a 2-0 vote and one abstention. Several proposed financial policies were accepted, tabled, or referred for further review.

• Appointed Irene Rodriguez to Planning Board until May 2027 (2-0, one abstention)
• Approved end-of-year transfers for Police Officer Compensation, Snow Removal, and Disposal Area
• Accepted Forecasting Policy with revisions (removed priority order section, changed five years to three years)
• Accepted Spending in Excess of Appropriation Policy as presented
• Tabled Grant Management Policy until next meeting
• Tabled Financial Management Team Policy for now
• Directed Overlay Policy to Board of Assessors for review
• Tabled carry-over of unused vacation time until further researched

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will elect a chair and secretary, welcome new members, and finalize closing actions from FY 2026. They will also set upcoming meetings to review financial policies. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific financial decisions or dollar amounts listed.

• Election of Chair and Secretary
• Welcome of new members Eric & Barry and outgoing members Brent & Judy
• Approval of past minutes and other closing actions from FY 2026
• Next meeting on July 15 to review first 5 financial policies

The Middlefield Finance Committee voted unanimously to table the election of Chair and Secretary until the next meeting when all members are present. The committee also accepted the June 10 meeting minutes as written and agreed to continue meeting on Wednesdays until the new member can provide availability. No other formal decisions were made; the meeting was largely introductory and procedural.

• Accepted June 10, 2026 meeting minutes as written (unanimous)
• Tabled vote for Chair and Secretary until next meeting (unanimous)
• Agreed to continue Wednesday meetings until new member provides availability
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Middlefield Planning Board is deciding on meeting minutes and discussing bylaws for Accessory Dwelling Units, camping, and clean energy. The agenda is mostly discussion-based with no major decisions or concrete items listed. The meeting will also cover any new business not previously announced.

• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw
• camping bylaw
• clean energy bylaw

The Planning Board discussed updates to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw, noting that additional information requested by the Attorney General's office has been submitted. The board also finalized a new camping bylaw, which is ready to be sent to Evan Kenney for administration review before being forwarded to Town Counsel. A company hired to clean up town bylaws will begin work after July 1. The board reviewed renewable energy bylaws from Plainfield and materials from Town Counsel Michael D'Ortnizio regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and solar panels, prioritizing the adoption of a local bylaw.

• Approved minutes from June 8, 2026 meeting.
• Decided to send the new camping bylaw to Evan Kenney for administration review before Town Counsel review.
• Prioritized having a town bylaw for BESS and solar panels in place soon.

Select Board

The Middlefield Select Board will meet on June 17, 2026, to discuss proposed financial policies, potential increases to transfer station fees, and updates on town projects like the playground at 168 Skyline Trail and Town Hall repairs. The board will also review salary funds for the Town Administrator and consider a request from Baystate Books to place a book donation container at the Transfer Station.

• Review proposed Financial Policies (Disbursement, Debt Affordability, Debt Management, Capital Planning, Anti-Fraud, Financial Reserve)
• Discussion on increasing Transfer Station Fees
• Update on playground at 168 Skyline Trail
• Review and discuss extra salary funds for Town Administrator
• Consider Baystate Books request for book donation container at Transfer Station

The Selectboard approved five financial policies for adoption: Disbursement, Debt Affordability (within current contract), Debt Management, Anti-Fraud, and Financial Reserve. The Capital Planning Policy was tabled for further review. A motion to pay the Town Administrator $880 per the FY 2026 Annual Town Warrant was approved. No action was taken on increasing Transfer Station fees; the item was discussed but not decided.

• Approved Disbursement Policy, effective July 1, 2026
• Approved Debt Affordability Policy (within current contract scope), effective July 1, 2026
• Approved Debt Management Policy, effective July 1, 2026
• Approved Anti-Fraud Policy, effective July 1, 2026
• Approved Financial Reserve Policy, effective July 1, 2026
• Approved payment of $880 to Town Administrator per FY 2026 Annual Town Warrant
• Tabled Capital Planning Policy for further review
• Tabled carry-over of unused vacation time until next meeting

Capital Planning Committee

The Capital Planning Committee will review minutes from two prior meetings, discuss new information on a grid template from liaisons, and plan next steps including a presentation to the Selectboard. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific capital projects, dollar amounts, or public hearings listed.

• Review of minutes from May 6 and May 24, 2026 meetings
• Review of new information on grid template from liaisons
• Discussion of next steps and presentation to Selectboard
• Setting of new meeting dates

The committee adjusted cost projections for fire and police department equipment. Members also agreed to seek a roof appraisal for Town Hall and added maintenance items to the planning grid.

• Approved increasing fire department engine cost high-end point to $1 million
• Approved police vehicle price adjustments to $85,000 low-end and $100,000 high-end
• Decided against adding additional hand-held radios to the grid
• Approved request for Select Board to obtain an appraisal of the Town Hall roof
• Approved adding Fire Department roof maintenance as a line item for 2029
• Approved adding Gateway roof and boiler repair to the grid
• Approved minutes from 5/6/2026

Finance Committee

The Middlefield Finance Committee will discuss several items including Town Hall cameras, a transfer station proposal, and draft financial policies. They will also review meeting minutes from May 27th and financial reports dated June 4th. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Discussion of Town Hall cameras
• Transfer Station Proposal
• Capital Planning Committee / Finance Committee representative
• Draft Financial Policies
• Town Bylaws updates/amendments

Council on Aging

The Middlefield Council on Aging will meet on June 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Senior Center. The agenda includes discussion of spending $3,000 or more by July 1st, scheduling the DumpRunCafe, and planning a June 25 golf and lunch event. The meeting will also cover the Treasurer's Report, Director's Report, and regular weekly activities.

• Discussion of spending $3,000+ by July 1st
• June 25 Golf & Lunch event
• DumpRunCafe schedule discussion
• Comfort Kitchen lunch location decision
• Play Middlefield Memories DVD at DumpRunCafe

The Council on Aging approved the minutes from March, April, and May meetings. They discussed the June 7 Dump Run Cafe and planned a July 12 event. The council agreed to cover transportation, a tour at High Lawn Farms, and dinner at the 54 Park Restaurant in Lee for a June 26 field trip, with the invoice due by June 30. Discussion was held on Farmer's Market coupon distribution and future agenda items including the 250th birthday celebration and FRTA trips.

• Approved minutes of March 15, April 8, and May 13 (unanimous)
• Approved COA covering field trip costs: transportation, High Lawn Farms tour, and dinner at 54 Park Restaurant in Lee on June 26 (invoice due June 30)

Planning Board

The Middlefield Planning Board will review and approve prior meeting minutes, discuss current mail, and review the town website for corrections. The main business includes continued discussions on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw and camping bylaw, as well as a new discussion on a future clean energy bylaw.

• Continued discussion of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw
• Continued discussion of camping bylaw
• Discussion of future clean energy bylaw
• Review and approve minutes from May 18, 2026

The board approved the minutes from May 18 and reviewed mail. They finalized a camping bylaw application, which will be sent to the town attorney before a public hearing. Discussion on solar and battery storage regulations continued, with a priority to adopt a town bylaw soon; the board will review Plainfield's MIT-partnered bylaw before the next meeting.

• Approved minutes from May 18, 2026
• Finalized camping bylaw application for town attorney review
• Discussed solar and battery storage regulations, including potential collaboration with other hilltowns
• Will review Plainfield's MIT-partnered bylaw before next meeting

Select Board

The Middlefield Select Board and Finance Committee will meet jointly to discuss the town's Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, review draft financial policies, and begin looking at end-of-year transfers. The board will also consider a Planning Board vacancy and approve prior meeting minutes.

• Discussion on Middlefield's ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan
• Review of draft Financial Policies
• Begin looking at end-of-year transfers
• Planning Board vacancy
• Approve minutes of April 29, 2026 meeting

The Selectboard and Finance Committee jointly approved allowing the Town Administrator to finalize a contract with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission for an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. A town committee will be formed as part of the plan. The board also approved end-of-year transfers and accepted the April 29 meeting minutes as written.

• Approved Town Administrator to negotiate ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan contract with PVPC
• Approved April 29, 2026 Selectboard minutes as written
• Approved end-of-year transfers as read
• Announced Planning Board vacancy due to passing of Cam McNeill; accepting letters of interest until July 1, 2026