Conway meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Conway boards review solar farm, school project, and budget items; no decisions finalized

Over the past two weeks, Conway's boards and committees met to review a range of items, including a solar farm proposal, a school project near a stream, and budget approvals. None of these meetings produced final decisions, as minutes have not yet been published. The most consequential item under review is the BlueWave solar farm on Roaring Brook Road, which the Planning Board will continue to consider at its next session.

Planning Board: Solar farm hearing continues

The Planning Board met on Aug. 11 to resume a special permit hearing for the BlueWave solar farm proposed for Roaring Brook Road. The board also approved prior meeting minutes. The hearing is scheduled to continue on Aug. 31, which will be the sixth session, and will include site plan review as well as old and unforeseen new business. No vote has been reported.

Conservation Commission: School project and utility upgrade

The Conservation Commission met on Aug. 11 to review a proposal for an outdoor covered space and gardens at the Conway Grammar School, located within 200 feet of a stream. The commission also considered a request from Eversource/BSC Group for a distribution line upgrade on Wilder Hill Road. The agenda included routine items such as approval of minutes and financial reports, with no invoices or fee payments reported.

Frontier Community Access TV: Budget and anniversary plans

The Frontier Community Access Television Board of Directors met on Aug. 11 to consider approval of its FY-27 budget. The board also received updates on license negotiations and a student film project, and discussed a grant program for content creators. Other items included an outdoor screening and fundraiser for FCAT's 20th anniversary, installing electrical equipment at Frontier Regional School, and janitorial services.

Board of Assessors: Chapter land deadline and hydro valuation

On Aug. 12, the Board of Assessors voted on extending the deadline for missing FY27 Chapter land applications to the FY28 deadline, with outstanding parcels to be removed from the Chapter program. The board also signed a Chapter 61 Lien, reviewed motor vehicle excise abatements, and approved minutes from July 15. In a separate emergency meeting scheduled for Aug. 24, the board will discuss a proposed updated valuation for the Deerfield River hydro facilities to keep the annual tax rate setting process on schedule.

Other recent meetings

• **Festival of the Hills** (Aug. 12): The committee approved minutes, received check-ins, and planned a funds transfer to the town. They also scheduled meetings through October.
• **Franklin County Tech School District Committee** (Aug. 12): The committee received an update from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, along with reports from the principal, superintendent, and chairperson. No specific decisions were listed.
• **Newsletter Committee** (Aug. 18): The committee voted on a proposed policy addition to formally bar opinion pieces from the Conway Currents newsletter. The draft policy states the newsletter shall not as a rule publish op-ed pieces expressing an opinion on an issue. The committee also reviewed submissions for the August issue and approved minutes from July 16.

Coming up

• **Board of Health** (Aug. 24): Vote on a memorandum of understanding with the Massachusetts Health Officers Association regarding tobacco sales to youth compliance checks, and a possible vote on an appeal of a Franklin Regional Council of Governments decision about upgrading a septic system on West Parsons Dr.
• **Board of Assessors** (Aug. 24): Emergency meeting to discuss the proposed updated valuation for Deerfield River hydro facilities.
• **Forest and Trails Committee** (Aug. 26): Discussion of Article 97 with Deerfield Open Space, Conway Open Space, and Donna MacNicol, plus an update on a camera move to the school and a report from Jaime McGuigan.
• **Planning Board** (Aug. 31): Continue the special permit and site plan review for the BlueWave solar farm on Roaring Brook Road.

All meeting agendas and minutes are available through the town's official channels.

Conway boards review solar, school, and senior items in busy week

Conway's boards and committees held a series of meetings from August 5 to August 12, covering solar energy rules, school building updates, senior programs, and town finances. All meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no final votes or decisions were recorded.

Planning Board: Solar and land use

The Planning Board met twice during the week. On August 6, it discussed adopting a model battery energy storage system (BESS) bylaw to comply with state clean energy laws, ahead of a fall town meeting. The board also considered a proposal to ban data centers in town and reviewed an erosion zone overlay proposal. It conducted non-binding reviews of two lot plans, for Tom Caron and Fred Brown. On August 11, the board resumed a special permit hearing for the BlueWave solar farm proposed for Roaring Brook Road.

School and conservation

Two Franklin County Technical School committees received updates from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The Building Task Force met on August 6, and the District Committee met on August 12; both agendas included MSBA updates on the school building project or funding. The Conservation Commission on August 11 reviewed a proposal for an outdoor covered space and gardens at Conway Grammar School, located within 200 feet of a stream. It also considered an Eversource/BSC Group distribution line upgrade on Wilder Hill Road.

Senior and community programs

The Council on Aging met on August 5 to discuss finalizing details for Senior Citizen's Day and consider a potential 2027 dance class, contingent on a Cultural Council grant. The agenda included a request for community partner approval for MUSIC Dance.edu's $380 grant proposal for senior dance classes. The Festival of the Hills committee met on August 12 to plan a funds transfer to the town and schedule meetings through October.

Other boards

The Board of Assessors met on August 12 and will vote on extending the deadline for missing FY27 Chapter land applications to the FY28 deadline, with outstanding parcels to be removed from the Chapter program. The Franklin Conservation District Board reviewed updates on current grants, including a District Innovation grant, an MVP grant, and a 604(b) grant proposal. The Frontier Community Access TV Board discussed approving the FY-27 budget, license negotiations, and a 20th anniversary celebration.

Coming up

The Conway Newsletter Committee will meet on August 18 to vote on a proposed policy addition that would formally bar opinion pieces from the newsletter. The draft policy states the newsletter shall not as a rule publish op-ed pieces expressing an opinion on an issue.

No decisions reported as Conway boards review solar rules, coordinator, and school project

No decisions have been reported from Conway's recent meetings, as minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions held between July 27 and August 6. The most consequential items on those agendas included a proposed home services coordinator appointment, new solar and data center regulations, and a school project near a stream. Upcoming meetings this week will continue several of these discussions.

Select Board

At its July 27 meeting, the Select Board was scheduled to vote on appointing Marjorie Held as Home Services Coordinator with a $1,500 stipend. The board also planned to discuss and vote on FY27 contracts for Animal Control, Franklin County Solid Waste Management District, and a Grant Central contract for a new grader, as well as signing the State Primary Warrant. No vote results are available.

Planning Board

On August 6, the Planning Board discussed next steps for complying with state clean energy laws, including adopting a model battery energy storage system (BESS) bylaw ahead of a fall town meeting. The board also considered a proposal to ban data centers in town and reviewed an erosion zone overlay proposal. Two lot plans (Tom Caron and Fred Brown) received non-binding review. No decisions were recorded.

Conservation Commission

At its July 28 meeting, the commission reviewed a draft Priority Habitat Map from MassWildlife. No permits or financial items were on the agenda. Upcoming on August 11, the commission will review a proposal for an outdoor covered space and gardens at Conway Grammar School, located within 200 feet of a stream, and an Eversource/BSC Group distribution line upgrade on Wilder Hill Road.

Other recent meetings

• **Festival of the Hills** (July 27): Discussed a funds transfer to the town.
• **Board of Health** (July 27): Routine items only, including minutes, mail, and FRCOG inspections.
• **Open Space Committee** (July 28): Discussed the 250th tree planting, South River Meadow signs, mowing schedules, invasive treatment, and an update on the Boyden Farm Solar Project.
• **Council on Aging** (August 5): Reviewed a treasurer's report, discussed finalizing Senior Citizen's Day, and considered a $380 grant proposal from MUSIC Dance.edu for senior dance classes in 2027.
• **Franklin County Tech School Building Task Force** (August 6): Received updates from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and public outreach efforts.
• **Franklin Conservation District** (August 6): Reviewed grants, including District Innovation, MVP, and a 604(b) grant proposal.

Coming up

• **August 11** – Conservation Commission: School project near stream and Eversource line upgrade.
• **August 11** – Planning Board: Resume special permit hearing for BlueWave solar farm on Roaring Brook Road.
• **August 11** – FCAT Board: Approve FY-27 budget, discuss grants and 20th anniversary celebration.
• **August 12** – Board of Assessors: Vote on extending FY27 Chapter land application deadline to FY28.
• **August 12** – Franklin Tech School Committee: MSBA update and regular reports.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes, when available, are posted on the town's website.

Conway Selectboard Scheduled to Vote on Home Services Coordinator Appointment, FY27 Contracts

The Conway Selectboard was scheduled July 27 to vote on appointing Marjorie Held as Home Services Coordinator for a $1,500 stipend and on signing several FY27 contracts, including a new grader contract through Grant Central. Meeting minutes had not been published as of Aug. 3, so outcomes are not yet confirmed. All recent meetings listed below are agenda-only; minutes are not yet available.

Select Board

The July 27 agenda called for votes on appointing Marjorie Held as Home Services Coordinator with a $1,500 stipend, signing the FY27 Animal Control contract, signing FY27 Franklin County Solid Waste Management District contracts, signing a Grant Central contract for a new grader, and signing the State Primary Warrant.

Planning Board

The Planning Board was scheduled July 21 to continue a special permit and site plan review public hearing for the BlueWave solar farm on Boyden Farm land off Roaring Brook Road. The agenda also included discussion of next steps for new state Clean Energy Law guidelines, possible local data center regulation, and approval of minutes from June 25 and June 30, 2026.

Sustainability Committee

The July 23 agenda included a report from the public hearing on a proposed solar array on Roaring Brook Road, recommendations for CBA school including a potential fall 2026 lighting project, updates on streetlights, Green Community/Climate Leader decarbonizing roadmap applications, and Clean Energy Extension meetings and survey updates.

Conservation Commission

The July 28 meeting was scheduled to review a MassWildlife Draft Priority Habitat Map. No financial items, permits, or hearings were listed.

Frontier Community Access Television Board

The FCAT Board of Directors was scheduled July 21 to vote on the FY-27 budget and discuss license negotiations, a grant program for content creators, a 20th anniversary celebration picnic, and installing electricity in a closet at Frontier Regional School. The board planned to enter executive session to discuss the general manager's salary.

Forest and Trails Committee

The July 22 agenda included review and approval of June 24 minutes, an update on a camera move and Jaime McGuigan, and discussion of next steps regarding Conservation Restrictions with Veronique.

Board of Health

The July 27 meeting covered routine business: approval of June 22 minutes, FRCOG inspections and report, a health and wellness report, and a CPHS meeting update. No votes on ordinances, fees, or public health actions were listed.

Festival of the Hills Committee

The July 27 agenda included approval of prior minutes, board and activity coordination check-in, and discussion of a funds transfer to the town.

Open Space Committee

The July 28 agenda included a 250th tree planting with Chris Waldo, South River Meadow signs, mowing schedules for South River and Bigelow Meadows, invasive species treatment at South River Meadow, and an update on the Boyden Farm Solar Project.

Coming up

• **Aug. 5 — Council on Aging:** Treasurer's report with appropriations for foot clinics, yoga, and meals; discussion of MUSIC Dance.edu's $380 grant proposal for senior dance classes; finalize Senior Citizen's Day details; consider 2027 dance classes.
• **Aug. 6 — Planning Board:** Non-binding review of two lot plans (Tom Caron and Fred Brown); discussion on adopting a model battery energy storage system bylaw; proposal to ban data centers for fall town meeting; erosion zone overlay proposal review.
• **Aug. 6 — FCTS Building Task Force Committee:** MSBA update and public outreach update.
• **Aug. 11 — Planning Board:** Resume special permit hearing for BlueWave solar farm at Roaring Brook Road.
• **Aug. 11 — FCAT Board of Directors:** FY-27 budget approval, license negotiations update, 20th anniversary outdoor screening and possible fundraiser.
• **Aug. 12 — Franklin County Tech School District Committee:** MSBA update, principal's, superintendent's, and chairperson's reports.