Greenfield public meetings in 2024

City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will vote on several financial transfers, including $2.6 million to the Capital Stabilization Fund, $200 k to the Compensated Absences Fund, $100 k to the Contract Stabilization Fund, and $32,657.92 to police salary and wages. The council will also adopt zoning amendments for a semi‑residential district and multi‑family dwellings. Additional agenda items include approving prior meeting minutes, appointing officials, and receiving updates from city departments.

• Approve Memorandum of Agreement with MassCops Local 470, transferring $32,657.92 from Contract Stabilization to police salary and wages
• Transfer $2,600,000 from Free Cash to Capital Stabilization Fund
• Transfer $200,000 from Free Cash to Compensated Absences Fund
• Transfer $100,000 from Free Cash to Contract Stabilization Fund
• Adopt Zoning Amendment Section 200-12 (Semi‑Residential District) and Section 200-40 (Multi‑Family Dwellings)

The Greenfield City Council approved two zoning amendments that allow multifamily dwellings of 24 units or fewer by right in the Semi-Residential District and remove the previous 24-unit cap, requiring a special permit only for projects of 25 units or more. The council also approved a police union agreement with a $32,657.92 transfer, adopted a hybrid meeting ordinance, and confirmed multiple board appointments.

• Approved zoning amendment 200-12 allowing multifamily dwellings up to 24 units by right in Semi-Residential District (11-0)
• Approved zoning amendment 200-40 removing 24-unit cap, requiring special permit for 25+ units (10-1)
• Approved police union MOA with $32,657.92 transfer from Contract Stabilization (11-0, 1 abstention)
• Adopted hybrid meeting ordinance for city boards (11-1)
• Approved appointments to boards and commissions (12-0)
• Accepted minutes of October 16 and November 20 meetings (12-0)
• Tabled then untabled zoning amendment 200-40 before final approval
• Defeated motion to table zoning amendment 200-40 (5-7)

City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will consider appropriating funds for a public safety data center and electric dam repairs, as well as setting the Fiscal Year 2025 tax classification. The body will also hold a public hearing on proposed zoning amendments regarding chicken and rooster ownership.

• Appropriate $150,000 for Public Safety Data Center
• Repurpose $197,000 for Electric Light & Power Dam repairs
• Set Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Classification (Residential Factor, Exemption, Small Commercial)
• Public Hearing on Zoning Amendment: chickens and roosters
• Approve MOA with MassCops Local 470 and transfer $32,657.92

Special City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council held a special meeting on November 5, 2024. During the meeting the council took a first‑reading ordinance to repurpose $197,000 from the FY 24‑080 authorization for design and emergency repair services for the Electric Light & Power Dam. The council also approved a motion to waive the rules of procedure to allow agenda items to be taken out of order.

• First reading to repurpose $197,000 for design and emergency repairs of the Electric Light & Power Dam
• Motion to waive the rules of procedure, 8 Order and Disposition of Business, to take agenda items out of order
• Financial Order FY 25‑019 approving the $197,000 repurposing for the dam repair design services

City Council Meeting

The City Council will discuss zoning changes for open space and cluster developments and consider a $150,000 appropriation for a public safety data center. The meeting includes updates on the Main Street water main project and a public session with state legislators.

• Proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance Section 200-39: Open Space/Cluster Developments
• First reading to appropriate $150,000 from Capital Stabilization Fund for a Public Safety Data Center
• Filling of At-Large Councilor vacancy following the resignation of Penny Ricketts
• Adoption of MGL Chapter 178 (HERO Act) regarding servicemembers and veterans
• Approval of City Election Warrant for the November 5, 2024 State Election

City Council Meeting

The City Council will hear a presentation on a proposed zoning amendment to Section 200-39 regarding Open Space/Cluster Developments. The body will also consider several mayoral appointments to city commissions and the approval of a police department MOU.

• Proposed zoning amendment to Section 200-39: Open Space/Cluster Developments
• Approval of MOU between Greenfield Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and MassCOP Local 470
• Mayoral appointments to Human Rights Commission, Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee, GCET Board of Commissioners, and Board of Health
• Disclosure of released and withheld executive session minutes

The Greenfield City Council approved two orders: one affirming the mayor's appointments to various boards and commissions, and another approving a memorandum of understanding between the police department, sheriff's office, and MassCOP Local 470. The proposed cluster development zoning amendments were discussed extensively but not voted on; the Economic Development Committee recommended further discussion, and the matter was referred back to subcommittee. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved Order FY 25-011 affirming mayoral appointments to Human Rights Commission, Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee, GCET Board of Commissioners, and Board of Health (11-0)
• Approved Order FY 25-012 approving MOU between Greenfield Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and MassCOP Local 470 (11-0)
• Accepted minutes of August 21, 2024 meeting (11-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 10:06 p.m. (11-0)

City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will consider several actions at its August 21 meeting, including a public hearing to revoke the revenue dedication of Massachusetts State‑Subdivision opioid settlement funds to the Special Purpose Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund. Councilors will also vote on naming the fields behind the high school as “Donna Woodcock Fields” and the baseball diamond at Veterans Field as “Suchanek Diamond.” Additional items include mayoral appointments to the Board of Health and other commissions, and a notice of zoning amendment proposals for open‑space/cluster developments. The meeting will also feature communications from the mayor, school superintendent, and updates on local projects.

• Public hearing to revoke revenue dedication of Massachusetts State‑Subdivision opioid settlement funds to the Special Purpose Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund
• Vote to name the fields behind the high school “Donna Woodcock Fields”
• Vote to name the baseball diamond at Veterans Field “Suchanek Diamond”
• Mayor’s appointments & re‑appointments to the Board of Health and other commissions
• Notice of zoning amendment proposals to Section 200-39: Open Space/Cluster Developments

City Council Meeting

The City Council will discuss the revocation of revenue dedication for statewide opioid settlement funds. The meeting includes updates on the new fire station, bocce courts on Gerret Street, and various city staff appointments.

• First reading to revoke revenue dedication of statewide opioid settlement funds to the Special Purpose Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund
• Appointment of Ahmad Esfahani to the Health Department
• Amendment to City Code Chapter 110 regarding the Capital Improvement Planning Committee
• Amendment to Rules of Procedure 565-2 regarding meeting attendance
• Updates on expenditures and legal fees for trails and signage at Rocky Mountain and Highland Park Trails

City Council Meeting

The City Council will consider several budget transfers, including $150,000 for two marked police cruisers. The agenda includes a second reading of the FY2025 Community Preservation Fund budget for projects like park improvements and affordable housing. Members will also discuss an Attorney General's decision regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint.

• Appropriation of $150,000 for two marked police cruisers
• $150,000 transfer to the FY24 Sewer Enterprise Operating Budget
• Community Preservation Fund projects including affordable housing at 187 Hope Street and 156-176 Main Street
• $125,000 for Hillside Park improvements
• Establishment of an Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund

City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the FY2025 operating budget, including appropriating $64,866,698 to the General Fund and establishing enterprise fund budgets for water, sewer, and GCET. The council will also consider several fund transfers, including $500,000 from water retained earnings for water main replacements and bond premium transfers for debt paydowns. Additionally, the agenda includes votes to initiate naming the high school fields "Donna Woodcock Fields" and the Veterans Field baseball diamond "Suchanek Diamond," plus a zoning amendment to sign regulations.

• Appropriate $64,866,698 to the General Fund for FY2025
• Transfer $500,000 from FY24 Water Retained Earnings to replace Water Mains
• Vote to initiate naming high school fields "Donna Woodcock Fields"
• Vote to initiate naming Veterans Field diamond "Suchanek Diamond"
• Amend Zoning Ordinance Chapter 200, Section 34: Sign Regulations

The City Council approved the FY2025 General Fund budget and several enterprise fund appropriations. The council also updated zoning laws regarding electronic signs and affirmed multiple municipal appointments.

• Appropriated $64,866,698 for the FY2025 General Fund budget (13-0)
• Appropriated FY2025 funds for Water ($2,538,458), Sewer ($3,586,722), and GCET ($2,326,674) enterprises (13-0 each)
• Approved zoning amendment prohibiting dynamic display signs except for municipal use (9-2-1)
• Approved naming high school fields 'Donna Woodcock Fields' and Veterans Field baseball diamond 'Suchanek Diamond' (13-0)
• Affirmed multiple mayoral appointments to city boards and commissions, excluding Dorothea Melnicoff (12-0-1)
• Approved $500,000 transfer from FY24 Water Retained Earnings to replace water mains (13-0)
• Denied proposed $10,000 reduction to Dispatch Salary & Wages (5-7)
• Denied proposed $11,500 reduction to Fire Salary & Wages (2-11)

City Council Meeting

The council will hold public hearings on 19 orders for the FY2025 Capital Budget involving various infrastructure projects. The meeting also includes discussions regarding the $64,866,698 appropriation to the General Fund for the FY2025 Operating Budget. Additionally, updates will be provided on school committee appointments and city hall structural issues.

• $680,000 for Main Street Redesign Project engineering and design work
• $310,000 for repairs to the Mill Street Bridge on River Street
• $500,000 for sewer inflow and infiltration repairs and replacement
• $300,000 to replace the water main on Main Street
• $64,866,698 appropriation to the General Fund for the FY2025 Operating Budget

City Council Meeting

The City Council will discuss updates on the new fire station and library buildings. The meeting includes reviews of various zoning amendments and mayoral appointments. The council will also consider several fund transfers for the FY2025 capital budget.

• $680,000 appropriation for Main Street Redesign Project engineering and design
• $300,000 transfer for water main replacement on Main Street
• $500,000 appropriation for sewer inflow and infiltration repairs
• $310,000 appropriation for repairs to the Mill Street Bridge on River Street
• Zoning amendments regarding marijuana establishments and sign regulations

City Council Special Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will hold a special meeting via Zoom to consider several items. The agenda includes a motion to suspend rules of procedure and a vote on a resolution regarding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Residents are also scheduled for public comment.

• Motion to suspend rules of procedure to allow agenda items out of order
• Resolution supporting a permanent ceasefire and preventing further loss of human life in Gaza

City Council Meeting

The council will review proposed changes to zoning regulations regarding development reviews and marijuana establishments. The meeting includes votes on several fund transfers for police salaries and water/sewer accounts. The agenda also features a proposal to approve $2,055,330 in EPA grant funding for recycling infrastructure.

• Zoning amendment to change Major Development Review threshold from 3,000 to 2,000
• Approval of $2,055,330 EPA grant for automated single-stream recycling collection
• Transfer of $54,904.18 from the City’s Reserve Fund to Police Permanent Salaries
• Authorization for the Mayor to sell 188 Main Street
• Filling the Precinct 7 Councilor vacancy

City Council Meeting

The City Council will review several fund transfers, including $30,000 for legal labor and funds for ADA accessibility at the high school track and bocce courts. The meeting also includes updates from the Mayor on city hall heating and a search for a new Health Director.

• Transfer of $30,000 from Free Cash to FY24 Legal Labor
• Transfer of $600 from Handicapped Parking Fund for ADA access at Greenfield High School Track
• Transfer of $4,500 from Handicapped Parking Fund for ADA access to proposed Bocce Courts
• Approval of a school bus contract for Greenfield Public Schools for up to five years
• Transfer of $54,904.18 from City’s Reserve Fund to Police Permanent Salaries Account

City Council Organizational Meeting

The Greenfield City Council is convening an organizational meeting to elect council officers. The agenda also includes an orientation with the Clerk’s Office regarding procedural rules.

• Election of Council President
• Election of Council Vice-President
• Motion to waive Rules of Procedure, 8 Order and Disposition of Business