Southwick
Upcoming
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission will hold public hearings for four property improvement requests, including a handicap ramp for Crepes Tea House. The board will also discuss potential violations and vote on professional membership renewals.
- Public hearing for handicap ramp and walkway at 157 Feeding Hills Road (Crepes Tea House)
- Public hearing for shoreline rock placement at 4034 Mountain Road
- Public hearing for tree removal at 6 Silvergrass Lane and site improvements at 22 Shore Road
- Discussion of possible enforcement order for stormwater drainage at Brayton Drive
- Vote on membership renewals for MA Association of Conservation Commission ($330) and MSMCP ($50)
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will vote to authorize the Acting Vice Chair to sign Year-End Transfers for FY2026 and to approve the FY2026 Year-End Transfer. The agenda also reports Free Cash at $706,208, Stabilization at $3.12 million, and Reserve Fund at $69,541.39.
- Vote to authorize Acting Vice Chair to sign Year-End Transfers for FY2026
- Vote to approve FY2026 Year-End Transfer
- Free Cash reported at $706,208
- Stabilization at $3.12 million
- Reserve Fund at $69,541.39
Planning Board
The Planning Board and Select Board will hold a joint meeting to discuss and appoint a new member to the Planning Board. The meeting will be hybrid, taking place in-person at the Town Hall and online via Zoom.
- Joint meeting with Select Board
- Discuss/appoint John (Giovanni) Allsop to Planning Board
- Hybrid meeting format (In-person and Zoom)
- Meeting ID: 826 7858 6933
- Passcode: 671280
Select Board
The Select Board will review several financial transfers including a $26,300 contract for property appraisals. The meeting also includes discussions on planning board appointments, liquor licenses, and various community donations.
- Reserve Fund Transfer: $3,000 for Board of Health Consultant
- Year End Transfer: $8,900 for Treasurer Collector Copier
- Year End Transfer: $26,300 for Assessors Personal Property Appraisal Contract
- One Day Liquor License: Congamond Coffee
- Donation: $750.00 from American Legion Post 388 to Animal Control
Board of Health
The Southwick Board of Health will review routine health district updates, address septic regulation permit expirations, and discuss a specific property case at 2 Hummel Lane. Members will also consider policies on home and green burials, fill open board positions, and update their social media presence.
- Septic regulation permit expirations review
- Property case discussion at 2 Hummel Lane
- Home and green burial policy options
- Board job openings and staffing updates
- Western Mass Public Health District nursing report
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding an application by WGI, Inc. for a new industrial development. The board will consider several special permits and site plan approvals for the project.
- Proposed 68,000 square foot re-manufacturing building
- Location: 34 & 36 Hudson Drive (Industrial Restricted zone)
- Wellhead Protection District Special Permit request
- Earth Excavation and Stormwater Management permits
Select Board
The Southwick Select Board will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to two state Community Development Block Grant awards. The board plans to reallocate up to $183,796 from administrative costs to fund water main improvements on North Lake Avenue. Residents may submit written comments by July 20 or speak during the hybrid meeting.
- Public hearing on FY22/23 and FY24 CDBG budget amendments
- Transfer of $100,881 from FY22/23 grant administration to North Lake Avenue water main construction
- Transfer of $82,915 from FY24 grant administration to North Lake Avenue water main construction
- Written comments accepted until July 20 at 2:00 PM
Last 30 days
Open Space Committees
The Open Space Recreation Plan Committee will meet to elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary. They will also discuss the current status of the Open Space Recreation Plan and review recent meetings with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
- Elect committee chair, vice chair, and secretary
- Discuss current status of the Open Space Recreation Plan (OSRP)
- Review meeting with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)
Lake Management Committee
The Lake Management Committee will review updates on water quality, invasive species treatment, and flood management for Congamond Lakes. They will also discuss pending dock permits at 129 North Lake Ave and proposed changes to the Lake Protection Plan. Items include dredging funding, erosion complaints, and safety regulations like wake surfing and ice fishing structures.
- 129 North Lake Ave docks awaiting Con Com/DEP decision on permanent structures
- 2026 Solitude Invasives Assessment & Treatment update
- Commonwealth Earmark Funding update for cove dredging
- 159 Berkshire Ave erosion into town detention pond seeking cease & desist order
- Proposed LPP update by Con Com/Select Board on structures and boat stickers
Master Plan Implementation Committee
The Master Plan Implementation Committee will consider several action items, including a request to cancel the Climate Change 1.5 education initiative, accept completion of two economic development tasks (a business database and website updates), and transfer responsibilities for historical and housing goals to other commissions. They will also discuss the Planning Board's progress on permitting alternative home designs.
- Request to cancel Climate Change 1.5 (educate on alternative energy options)
- Accept completion of Econ Dev 1.1 (develop a database of local businesses)
- Accept completion of Econ Dev 1.2 (update resources on Economic Development Website)
- Discussion on Planning Board's effort to complete Housing 2.7 (permitting of alternate home designs)
- Request to transfer 'Hist & Cultural 1.5' to Historical Commission and 'Housing 3.2' to Housing Authority
Board of Registrars (Election & Registration)
The board will review election procedures for the September Primary and November Election. Discussions include early voting hours, advanced ballot processing, and poll pad preparation.
- Certification of 2nd Round State Petitions
- Early Voting Hours for September Primary and November Election
- Advanced Removal and Deposit processing
- Poll Pad preparations for 2027 Local Election
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will consider a reserve fund transfer request of $3,000 for the Board of Health's consulting services. They will also vote to appoint an Acting Vice Chair and authorize the Acting Chair to approve FY2026 year-end transfers under the Municipal Modernization Act. The committee will review proposed year-end transfers and discuss free cash and stabilization fund balances.
- Reserve Fund transfer of $3,000 for Board of Health consulting
- Vote to authorize Acting Chair to approve FY2026 year-end transfers
- Review proposed FY2026 year-end transfers
- Appointment of Acting Vice Chair
- Free Cash at $706,208; Stabilization at $3.12 million
Select Board
The Select Board will hold a public hearing on an Eversource pole and wire location request, vote on a Tax Increment Financing Agreement with WGI, and consider several grants, contracts, and personnel matters. They will also discuss deficit amortization and an interim Emergency Management Director.
- Public hearing on Eversource petition for pole and wire locations
- Vote to execute Tax Increment Financing Agreement with WGI
- Vote on year three Stantec Lake Treatment Contract
- Accept $1,103.22 grant from Shurtleff Children's Services for library
- Accept $1,000 grant to Office of Animal Control
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will review and sign the official tax warrants and commitments for the 2027 fiscal year. They will also process specific property adjustments and a monthly abatement report.
- FY2027 Real Estate and Personal Property Warrants
- Supplemental warrant for 97 Sheep Pasture
- Personal Property warrant for 34 Hudson Dr
- Rollback and Chapter 61A lien removal for 177 Klaus Anderson
- Payment of Bishop & Associates invoice
Board of Appeals
Neighbors are appealing a decision by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. The appeal concerns whether enforcement action should be taken against the continued commercial use of the property located at 351 North Loomis Street.
- Public hearing for 351 North Loomis Street
- Appeal of Zoning Enforcement Officer's decision regarding commercial use
Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals will consider an appeal from abutters challenging the Zoning Enforcement Officer's decision to take no enforcement action against continued commercial use of property at 351 North Loomis Street. The meeting also includes routine business like approving minutes and discussing new items.
- Public hearing on appeal regarding 351 North Loomis Street commercial use
Local Emergency Planning Committee
The committee will discuss new business including a review of the National Motocross event scheduled for July 11, 2026, and the resignation of Emergency Manager Iain White. Old business includes updates to the townwide notification and radio systems, and a review of the Ironman event. The next meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2026.
- Review of National Motocross event on July 11, 2026
- Accept resignation of Emergency Manager Iain White
- Update on townwide notification system
- Radio system update
- Review of Ironman event
Economic Development Commission
The commission will vote on May minutes and receive updates on Master Plan action items, noting completion of a business owner database and a social media contract with Little Dog Social Media. They will also discuss short-term goals including a business forum, zoning revision input, property tax analysis, and support for a proposed rail trail connector. Updates on Complete Streets and TIF policies are scheduled.
- Vote to approve May meeting minutes
- Contract signed with Little Dog Social Media for website and social media development
- Update on Complete Streets policy and pursuing grants
- Update on creating a TIF policy
- Plan for annual Small Business Forum
Lake Management Committee
The Lake Management Committee approved the previous meeting's minutes and adjourned. All other agenda items were informational updates, including reports on conservation commission actions, a marina liquor license approval, and a hydrilla grant. No motions were made or votes taken on policy or funding matters.
- Approved minutes from May 14, 2026 (unanimous)