Leyden meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Leyden boards weigh West Leyden Road litigation, road contract, and moratoriums

No decisions have been reported from Leyden town boards over the past two weeks, as all recent meetings were agenda-only and minutes have not yet been published. The most consequential items under consideration involve the 581 West Leyden Road property and a contract for road project management, along with potential moratoriums on data centers and battery storage.

Select Board: West Leyden Road litigation and contract

The Select Board met twice in the past week. On Aug. 10, the board was scheduled to vote on authorizing Attorney Adam Costa to proceed with litigation if needed at 581 West Leyden Road. The same agenda included an update on EMS regionalization and weighted options, a discussion of using Gill Engineering as project managers for West Leyden Road, continued FY27 appointments, and a discussion of municipal representation in PVRSD negotiations.

On Aug. 17, the board interviewed two candidates for the Administrative Assistant position: Eloise Tuell and Kathleen Garmalo. It also was expected to decide and sign a contract hiring Gill Engineering as project managers for West Leyden Road. The agenda included working sessions to prepare for a Warwick tuition subcommittee meeting and for the Digital Equity grant, plus an update on the police advisory meeting. A separate orientation session for town officials was held the same day.

Planning Board: Road plan and moratoriums

The Planning Board met Aug. 12 and discussed an Approval Not Required plan request for George Lamb Road, an update on 581 West Leyden Road, and a Special Permit application for Leyden Highway. The board also discussed potential moratoriums on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and AI data centers, and reviewed a draft Priority Habitat Map from Fisheries and Wildlife.

Other boards and committees

• **Police Services Advisory** (Aug. 11): Heard an update from Chief Palmeri, discussed regional merger efforts with Bernardston Fire, reviewed a financial workbook, and considered revisions to the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA).
• **Building Needs Study Committee** (Aug. 12): Met at Leyden Town Hall, DPW and Fire Department to assess town buildings for general maintenance and potential capital improvements.
• **MLP Advisory Board** (Aug. 13): Reviewed a financial template, discussed a debt payment plan, and reviewed the manager's report.
• **Board of Assessors** (Aug. 17): Approved real estate and personal property monthly lists for August, motor vehicle abatements, and the motor vehicle monthly list. Also reviewed building permits and approved criteria for Clause 18 hardship applications.
• **Council on Aging** (Aug. 18): Discussed a proposed rate increase for foot care services from $25 to $35 per person, with options to split the cost with clients (about $390/year) or absorb it fully (about $780/year). The foot care clinic is scheduled for Oct. 5. The council also reviewed FY26 goals, planned FY27 goals, and discussed the Leyden Cafe and outreach.
• **Mass in Motion** (Aug. 19): Joint meeting with the Select Board to review completed projects and discuss new initiatives to complete by May 30, 2027. Rachel Stoler reported on regional activity in Franklin County.

Coming up

• **Select Board** (Aug. 24): Vote and sign warrant for the Sept. 1 primary election, discuss the annual town report dedication, consider hiring an administrative assistant, and receive updates on the Digital Equity grant and regional meetings.
• **Conservation Commission** (Aug. 24): Review an enforcement order for the Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road.
• **Recreation Committee** (Aug. 25): Discuss a reported theft from the Pavilion, installation of a shed, a newly received Woodlands Partnership Grant, and plan Trunk or Treat.
• **Library Trustees** (Aug. 27): Review the State Aid/ARIS report, discuss LCC grant ideas, and schedule future meetings.

Leyden boards tackle property, health, and regional services; Select Board to sign engineering contract

Leyden town boards met last week on property, health, and regional services, but minutes from those meetings have not yet been published. This week, the Select Board is expected to sign a contract for engineering services on West Leyden Road, and the Council on Aging will weigh a rate increase for foot care.

Recent meetings

Board of Health (Aug. 4)

The board reviewed July minutes, discussed a mold issue in town offices, naloxone cabinet placements, and debriefed a July 13 permethrin event. It also received a status update on remedies at 581 W Leyden Road.

Select Board (Aug. 10)

The board voted on authorizing Attorney Adam Costa to proceed with litigation if needed at 581 West Leyden Road. It also received an update on EMS regionalization and weighted options, discussed using Gill Engineering as project managers for West Leyden Road, continued FY27 appointments, and discussed municipal representation in PVRSD negotiations.

Police Services Advisory (Aug. 11)

The committee heard an update from Chief Palmeri, discussed regional merger efforts with Bernardston Fire, reviewed a financial workbook, and considered revisions to the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA).

Building Needs Study Committee (Aug. 12)

The committee assessed town buildings to identify general maintenance needs and potential capital improvements.

Planning Board (Aug. 12)

The board discussed an Approval Not Required plan request for George Lamb Road, an update on 581 West Leyden Road, a Special Permit application for Leyden Highway, and potential moratoriums on AI data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). It also reviewed a draft Priority Habitat Map from Fisheries and Wildlife.

MLP Advisory Board (Aug. 13)

The Municipal Light Plant Advisory Board reviewed a financial template, discussed a debt payment plan, and reviewed the manager's report.

Coming up

Select Board (Aug. 17)

The board will interview candidates Eloise Tuell and Kathleen Garmalo for the Administrative Assistant position. It is also expected to decide and sign a contract hiring Gill Engineering as project managers for West Leyden Road. Working sessions will prepare for a Warwick tuition subcommittee meeting and a Digital Equity grant. The board will receive an update on the police advisory meeting.

Board of Assessors (Aug. 17)

The board will approve the Real Estate & Personal Property Monthly List for August, motor vehicle abatements, and the Motor Vehicle Monthly List. It will also review building permits and approve criteria for Clause 18 hardship applications.

Council on Aging (Aug. 18)

The council will discuss a proposed foot care cost increase from $25 to $35 per person. Options include asking clients for $5 more (about $390 per year) or absorbing the full cost (about $780 per year). The council will also plan the September community lunch, review FY26 goals, and discuss FY27 goals.

Mass in Motion (Aug. 19)

The committee will hold a joint meeting with the Select Board to review completed projects and discuss new initiatives to complete by May 30, 2027. A report on regional activity in Franklin County is also on the agenda.

Library Trustees (Aug. 27)

The trustees will review the State Aid/ARIS report, discuss LCC grant ideas, and schedule future meetings.

Leyden Select Board to vote on litigation counsel for West Leyden Road

The Leyden Select Board will vote Monday on whether to authorize Attorney Adam Costa to proceed with litigation if needed at 581 West Leyden Road, the most consequential item on the town's agenda this week. The board will also receive an update on EMS regionalization and discuss municipal representation in PVRSD negotiations.

Recent meetings

The following meetings took place in the past two weeks. Minutes have not yet been published, so only agenda items are reported.

Conservation Committee (July 27)

The committee discussed Order of Conditions violations for the Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road and drafted a paragraph for the town's Annual Report.

Select Board (July 27)

The agenda included a vote on the annual renewal of the Animal Control Officer and dog shelter contract, discussion of when to start the Digital Equity grant, continuing FY27 appointments, and planning an orientation for elected and appointed town officials.

Library Trustees (July 28)

Trustees discussed the FY26 and FY27 budgets, summer reading events, and approved prior meeting minutes.

Board of Health (Aug. 4)

The board reviewed and approved July 2026 minutes, heard updates on remedies at 581 W Leyden Road, discussed a mold issue in town offices, naloxone cabinet placements, and debriefed a July 13 permethrin event.

Upcoming meetings

Select Board (Aug. 10)

In addition to the litigation vote, the board will receive an update on EMS regionalization and weighted options, discuss using Gill Engineering as project managers for West Leyden Road, continue FY27 appointments, and discuss municipal representation in PVRSD negotiations.

Police Services Advisory (Aug. 11)

The committee will hear a police services report from Chief Palmeri, discuss regional merger efforts with Bernardston Fire, review a financial workbook, and consider revisions to the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA).

Building Needs Study Committee (Aug. 12)

The committee will assess town buildings for general maintenance needs and potential capital improvements. The meeting will be held at Leyden Town Hall, DPW and Fire Department at 16 W. Leyden Rd.

Planning Board (Aug. 12)

The board will discuss an Approval Not Required plan request for George Lamb Road, an update on 581 West Leyden Road, a special permit application for Leyden Highway, potential moratoriums on AI data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and a draft Priority Habitat Map from Fisheries and Wildlife.

MLP Advisory Board (Aug. 13)

The Municipal Light Plant Advisory Board will review a financial template, discuss a debt payment plan, review the manager's report, and review May meeting minutes. The meeting is at 5:30 PM at the Leyden Town Offices.

Coming up

• **Select Board** – Aug. 10, vote on litigation counsel and EMS update
• **Police Services Advisory** – Aug. 11, police report and IMA revisions
• **Building Needs Study Committee** – Aug. 12, town building assessment
• **Planning Board** – Aug. 12, George Lamb Road and moratorium discussions
• **MLP Advisory Board** – Aug. 13, financial template and debt plan

Leyden boards weigh foot care costs, housing policy, and culvert violations in recent meetings

Most Leyden boards met over the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions. The following items were listed on agendas; outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available in the public record.

Council on Aging — foot care cost increase

The Council on Aging met July 21 to discuss a provider raising foot care service rates from $25 to $35 per person. The agenda listed a decision point: whether the Council would absorb the full $780-per-year cost increase or split the cost with clients. The agenda also included discussion of starting a Leyden Cafe.

Select Board — housing policy, contracts, and appointments

The Select Board met twice, on July 20 and July 27.

The July 20 agenda included discussion of a new policy on housing, a performance review of Town Accountant Angelica DesRoches, and consideration of signing a special permit application for highway work. The board also planned to continue fiscal year 2027 appointments and discuss permission for Michele to sign an agreement with Mead, Talerman & Costa.

The July 27 agenda listed a vote on the annual renewal of the Animal Control Officer and dog shelter contract, discussion of when to start a Digital Equity grant, continuation of FY27 appointments, and planning of an orientation for elected and appointed town officials.

Conservation Commission — Cowan culvert violations

The Conservation Commission met July 27 to discuss Order of Conditions violations for the Cowan culvert project on Greenfield Road. The agenda also included drafting a paragraph for the Commission's inclusion in the town's Annual Report.

Board of Assessors — Clause 18 hardship criteria

The Board of Assessors met July 20 to approve the Real Estate and Personal Property Monthly List for July, the Motor Vehicle Monthly List for July, and Warrant 2026 Motor Vehicle Commitment #4. The agenda also included reviewing building permits and considering criteria for Clause 18 hardship applications.

Library Trustees — budgets and summer reading

The Leyden Library Trustees met July 28 to discuss the FY26 and FY27 budgets and upcoming summer reading events. The agenda noted no votes or final decisions.

Coming up

• **Board of Health, Aug. 4** — Review of July minutes, a status update on remedies at 581 W Leyden Road, a mold issue in town offices, naloxone cabinet placements, and a debriefing of a July 13 permethrin event.
• **Building Needs Study Committee, Aug. 12** — Assessment of town buildings for maintenance and capital improvements, at Leyden Town Hall, DPW and Fire Department, 16 W. Leyden Rd.
• **Planning Board, Aug. 12** — An Approval Not Required plan request for George Lamb Road, an update on 581 West Leyden Road, a special permit application for Leyden Highway, discussion of moratoriums on AI data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems, and review of a draft Priority Habitat Map from Fisheries and Wildlife.

Note: All recent meetings listed above were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published. Outcomes, votes, and any final decisions will be reported once the official minutes become available.