Hinsdale meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Hinsdale boards set agendas for lake herbicide, DPW appointment, and school policies

Hinsdale's boards and committees held several meetings over the past two weeks, with agendas covering a proposed herbicide change for Lake Ashmere, a new DPW worker appointment, and school policy reviews. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so the following is based on the official agendas.

Council on Aging (Aug. 10)

The Hinsdale/Peru Council on Aging met to approve the secretary's and treasurer's reports, discuss newsletter updates, and plan upcoming luncheons and speakers. The agenda included a solar eclipse pizza party on Aug. 13 at the Wayne Walton Pavilion, plus presentations through December from Dan Kaufman (maple sugaring and the Grand Canyon) and Mary Serrat (characterization), along with a Christmas party.

Conservation Commission (Aug. 11)

The Conservation Commission reviewed several permit requests and enforcement actions. A proposal to replace glyphosate with a new herbicide for invasive Phragmites at Lake Ashmere (DEP File #260-0014) was on the agenda, as was a certificate of compliance for a barn at 3(69) Creamery Road (DEP File #181-173). The commission also considered removal of five dead trees within 100 feet of the lake at 144 White Birch Lane, continued discussions on gutter and downspout drainage improvements at 162 Michaels Road, and an enforcement order for unpermitted stone at 187 South Shore Road.

Select Board (Aug. 12)

The Select Board's agenda included appointments: Bruce Carnevale as a DPW worker, Sarah Welch as Acting Library Director, and a representative to the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA). The board also acknowledged Shawn Boyne's letter of intent to retire and reviewed minutes from the July 22 meeting.

School Committee (Aug. 20)

The Central Berkshire Regional School District School Committee met with routine items including public comment, student reports, financial warrants, and minutes approval. The committee discussed and potentially acted on school handbooks, elementary school report cards, MCAS graduation requirements, substitute nurse rates, and special education tuition rates. It also reviewed the November 2026 School Committee election and self-evaluation.

Select Board (Aug. 20)

A separate Select Board business meeting was held to open bids for a municipal service truck. No other substantive items were listed.

Coming up

• **Board of Assessors** (Aug. 25): Will vote on statutory exemptions, Chapter 61 applications, real estate and personal property abatements, and a realignment of the board. Also pays bills.
• **Board of Health** (Aug. 25): Will review well permits (530 Washington Road, 39 Eagle Road), housing items (5 Lakeview Drive, 85 Goodrich Street, 101 Michaels Road, 113 Longview Avenue), septic perc tests and Title 5 inspections (69 Creamery Road, 390 East Washington Road, 567 George Schnopp Road, 133 Creamery Road), recreational camps for children, and beach water testing.
• **Berkshire County Retirement Board** (Aug. 26): Will review and approve the 2025 financial audit prepared by CBIZ, sign a legal services agreement with Thomas Gibson Law Offices, set the fall 2026 election schedule, and approve monthly expenses and retirement applications for August 2026.

All meetings are open to the public. Check the town website for times and locations.

Hinsdale boards tackle rates, lake treatments, and library plans; no decisions yet published

Several Hinsdale town boards and committees met or were scheduled to meet over the past two weeks, covering water and sewer rates, lake management, library fundraising, and routine financial approvals. As of this writing, minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no official decisions are confirmed.

Board of Assessors (July 28)

The Board of Assessors met to consider statutory exemptions, Chapter 61 applications, and real estate and personal property abatements. The agenda also included paying bills and approving minutes from the prior meeting. No other substantive business was listed.

Berkshire County Retirement Board (July 29)

The Berkshire County Retirement Board convened for a largely procedural agenda, including approving monthly expenses for July 2026, applications for superannuation retirement allowances, member transfers, and service buybacks. Two executive sessions were scheduled, one on a personnel matter (ADR J Hunt) and one on cybersecurity records.

Water and Sewer Committee (August 3)

The Water & Sewer Commission and Advisory Committee met to set water and sewer rates for fiscal years 2027 through 2029, based on a presentation from DPC Engineering. The agenda also included a water connection fee refund request for 323 Longview Ave, a sewer connection usage fee waiver request for 15 Bear Hill Road, a request to upgrade water service to the Bonnie and Rose neighborhood, and a betterment payment review for 124 and 126 George Schnopp Road.

Hinsdale Public Library Board of Trustees (August 4)

The library board met to approve minutes from July 7 and July 21, hear the director’s and financial reports, and discuss planning for a fall bake sale fundraiser. Updates on subcommittees, an Eversource evaluation, and the annual fundraiser mailing list were also on the agenda.

Lake Management Committee (August 4)

The Lake Management Committee discussed a second herbicide treatment for Ashmere Lake bladderwort, reviewed Solitude’s Interim Survey from July 27, and examined zebra mussel water test results. The agenda also included a vote on LMC officers and a message board for the Plunkett Reservoir boat launch.

Planning Board (August 4)

The Planning Board’s August 4 meeting was cancelled due to a summer break. The next meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2026.

Finance Committee (August 6)

The Finance Committee met to review the FY26 final expense report and the accountant’s report. The agenda also included the annual membership invoice for the MMA Assoc. of Town Finance Committees, plus status updates from the town administrator and on sewer and water accounts.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. The Planning Board’s next meeting is scheduled for September 1, 2026.

Hinsdale roundup: Recent meeting outcomes pending as Water & Sewer rate-setting looms

Most of Hinsdale's recent public meetings remain in agenda-only form, with minutes not yet published, so the outcomes of votes listed below are not yet confirmed by official records. The most consequential item on the horizon is the Water & Sewer Commission's planned setting of rates for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

Hinsdale Public Library Board of Trustees (July 21)

The board's agenda called for a discussion and vote on appointing Sarah Welch as Interim Director while the search for a permanent director is relaunched. The board was also scheduled to vote on the final draft of a fundraising letter and authorize its mailing. Minutes have not been published, so neither vote is confirmed.

Select Board (July 22)

The Select Board was scheduled to receive an update from Monica Monferret on the Floating Bladderwort infestation in Ashmere Lake's North Basin. The agenda also included review and approval of minutes from July 8, 2026, communications and reports, public comment, and other business. No minutes are available yet, so the update's content and any board action are not on the record.

Board of Assessors (July 28)

The Board of Assessors was set to approve or deny statutory exemptions, Chapter 61 applications, and real estate and personal property abatements as presented, and to pay bills as presented. The agenda noted no other substantive business was anticipated. Outcomes are not confirmed because minutes have not been published.

Berkshire County Retirement Board (July 29)

This county-level body, which covers Hinsdale retirees, was scheduled to approve routine consent items: July 2026 monthly expenses, superannuation retirement allowances, member transfers, and service buybacks. Two executive sessions were listed — one on a personnel matter (ADR J Hunt) and one on cybersecurity records. The agenda was described as largely procedural with no major policy decisions. No minutes are available.

Coming up

• **Water and Sewer Committee — Monday, Aug. 3:** The commission and advisory committee will set water and sewer rates for FY27–FY29 based on a DPC Engineering presentation. The agenda also includes a water connection fee refund request for 323 Longview Ave, a sewer connection usage fee waiver request for 15 Bear Hill Road, a request to upgrade water service to the Bonnie and Rose neighborhood, and a betterment payment review for 124 and 126 George Schnopp Road.
• **Hinsdale Public Library Board of Trustees — Tuesday, Aug. 4:** The board will approve minutes from July 7 and July 21, hear a financial report, and discuss planning for a Fall Bake Sale fundraiser. Updates on subcommittees, an Eversource evaluation, and the annual fundraiser mailing list are also scheduled.
• **Lake Management Committee — Tuesday, Aug. 4:** The committee will vote on officers, review Solitude's interim survey from July 27, 2026, discuss a second herbicide treatment for Ashmere Lake bladderwort, review zebra mussel water test results, and consider a new message board for the Plunkett Reservoir boat launch.
• **Planning Board — Aug. 4:** No meeting; the board is on summer break. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 1, 2026.