Bellingham's main governing board. Sets town policy, approves major contracts, and makes key appointments.
88 items across 8 meetings.
June 15, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Annual reorganization of the Select Board (officer roles).
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on transferring all-alcohol, common victualer, and weekday entertainment licenses from Uno Restaurant LLC to NURURH Sub 1 LLC at 205 Hartford Ave.
📍 205 Hartford Ave.
📋 Proposed
Hearing on National Grid's request to remove public shade trees.
📋 Proposed
7:30 PM interview of a candidate for the Historical Commission.
📋 Proposed
Application to change manager and officers/directors/LLC managers.
📋 Proposed
Application to change officers/directors/LLC managers.
📋 Proposed
Awarding a contract to rehabilitate the Chestnut Street water standpipe.
📍 Chestnut Street
📋 Proposed
Awarding a contract for the Well 10 access road.
📋 Proposed
Awarding a contract for sewer improvements at the Middle School.
📋 Proposed
Discussion and authorization to engage a consultant for the Hartford Ave District Improvement Financing program, with timeline for potential implementation.
📍 Hartford Ave
📋 Proposed
Authorization of a contract with Hilb Group to study health insurance.
📋 Proposed
Proposed increases to Silver Lake visitor day pass and seasonal pass rates for non-residents.
📍 Silver Lake
📋 Proposed
Vote to appoint Town Counsel.
📋 Proposed
Acceptance of a deed to property on Freeman Street, Assessor's Parcel 94-73.
📍 Freeman Street (Parcel 94-73)
📋 Proposed
Annual appointments, including amending the May 18 vote to change Interim Tree Warden to Acting Tree Warden.
📋 Proposed
Vote to accept gifts/grants received.
📋 Proposed
Vote on upcoming Select Board meeting dates.
📋 Proposed
Vote on June 1, 2026 meeting and executive session minutes.
📋 Proposed
Council on Aging Director Josie Dutil to be honored with the Commonwealth Pride Award at the State House June 17.
📋 Proposed
Closed session on litigation: Wall Street Development regarding 119 South Maple and Blackstone Street/Maddie's Way, and ZPB 2020-030 LLC over a ZBA special permit denial.
📍 119 South Maple; Blackstone Street/Maddie's Way
June 1, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: interview of Joseph Altomonte for the Cemetery Commission.
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: hearing on installing a new utility pole (#64) about 100 feet south of Scott Street to hold a recloser improving South Main Street power reliability.
📍 South Main Street near Scott Street
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: hearing on a new utility pole near Pulaski Blvd to hold a recloser improving Center Street power reliability.
📍 Center Street near Pulaski Blvd
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: hearing on transferring the all-alcohol, common victualer, and entertainment licenses from Uno Restaurant to new operator NURURH Sub 1 LLC.
📍 205 Hartford Ave
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: vote on waiving the denial of permits for back taxes at 11 Summer Street under G.L. c.40 §57.
📍 11 Summer Street
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: bid award for rehabilitating the Chestnut Street standpipe (water storage tank).
📍 Chestnut Street
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: discussion and vote on the design of the Senior Center parking lot.
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: vote to designate two units at Whitman Circle as eligible for the state's affordable-housing inventory under a Local Initiative Program application.
📍 Whitman Circle
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: appointment to the Open Space and Recreation Committee.
📋 Proposed
Vote on May 4, May 18, and May 27, 2026 minutes.
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: closed session to review and decide release of various executive session minutes.
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 1: closed session on negotiation strategy for the Town Administrator's contract.
May 18, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Approved 5-0 a food license for Paris Baguette, a French café/bakery opening at 253 Hartford Ave Suite C in Charles River Plaza, operating 6AM-10PM daily.
📍 253 Hartford Ave Suite C
✅ Approved
Granted a second 90-day temporary Class III license; most inspection items resolved but two leaking drums in a box trailer still need mitigation before final approval.
✅ Approved
Appointed Christopher Kerkhoff, a 7-year resident, to the Norfolk County Advisory Board.
💬 Discussed
Most paving this season hits the south end of town; the Hartford Ave traffic project faces a $5.8M shortfall despite $5.5M in grants, with the bid valid only until July 22.
💰 $5.8M shortfall; $5.5M grant plus expected $2.66M from WS
📍 Hartford Ave; south end of Town
💬 Discussed
Town Administrator is exploring DIF — using new development's increased tax revenue to fund infrastructure — to close the Hartford Ave gap; it wouldn't affect tax rates but needs Town Meeting approval.
💰 Would not affect tax rate or count as debt
✅ Approved
Approved 5-0 a one-year extension of an access road agreement giving the Town direct access to a potential new well site.
✅ Approved
Appointed project manager Barry Lariviere as interim Tree Warden.
✅ Approved
Approved 5-0 an intermunicipal agreement for dispatch services with the Town of Holbrook, including a strong exit clause.
✅ Approved
Designated the substitute custodian position as a special employee, allowing a current custodian to work extra hours in that role.
🔄 Postponed
Tabled until June 1; board considering assigning Kaya Sahin to trail maps and appointing Mr. Jennings to the open seat.
✅ Approved
Re-appointed Kevin Staley to the Cultural Council for a 3-year term.
✅ Approved
Approved 4-1 (Spencer abstaining) installation of a new utility pole on Pulaski Blvd.
📍 Pulaski Blvd
💬 Discussed
Town Administrator warned departments have maxed out budget cuts and further cuts would hit services and staff; $1.6M free cash to be allocated, leaving an estimated $174,000 balance.
💰 $1.6M free cash allocated; ~$174,000 remaining; 5-7% stabilization recommended
✅ Approved
Approved prior meeting minutes.
💬 Discussed
Owners are stepping back from the 800-unit proposal and bringing in a new developer to better fit the Town's needs.
📍 New England Country Club
💬 Discussed
Town declined to accept Lakeview Estates streets after peer reviewers found inconsistencies in as-built plans; goal to resolve and accept by Fall Town Meeting.
📍 Lakeview Estates
💬 Discussed
Town staff working to wrap up Duhamel Way street acceptance in time for Fall Town Meeting.
📍 Duhamel Way
🗳️ Voted on
Voted 5-0 by roll call to enter executive session to review and release prior executive session minutes.
May 18, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on a food-service license for Paris Baguette at 253 Hartford Ave Suite C, coming up May 18.
📍 253 Hartford Ave Suite C
💬 Discussed
Update and review of license status for John's Used Auto, a used-car dealer, coming up May 18.
💬 Discussed
Interview of Christopher Kerkhoff for a Norfolk County representative position, coming up May 18.
💬 Discussed
DPW Director to update on upcoming road projects and discuss Hartford Ave traffic improvements and next steps, coming up May 18.
📍 Hartford Ave
📋 Proposed
Authorization to execute a revised access agreement with Varney Bros. Sand & Gravel, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Vote to appoint an interim Tree Warden, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Vote to execute an intermunicipal agreement for dispatch services with the Town of Holbrook, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Vote on special municipal employee designation for a substitute custodian, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Appointment to the Open Space and Recreation Committee, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Re-appointment of Kevin Staley to the Cultural Council, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Vote on a National Grid utility pole petition, coming up May 18.
💬 Discussed
Discussion on Annual Town Meeting, the FY27 budget, and next steps, coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Vote to approve prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board to enter executive session to review and approve release of past executive session minutes from multiple 2025–2026 dates.
May 4, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
Public hearing closed 3-0; vote on installing a mid-span pole (~55 ft from P101-1) deferred to next meeting so a quorum can vote — Spencer abstained.
📍 Pulaski Blvd
✅ Approved
Board voted 3-0 to approve transfer of the Package Store Wine & Malt Beverages License from New Frank Corp. to SHEDA, Inc. (same manager, same location, new corporate partner).
📍 20 North Main Street
💬 Discussed
Board interviewed two candidates — Kaya Sahin (trail mapping, former Conservation Dept. intern) and Ryan Jennings (youth sports volunteer, land preservation focus) — for appointment.
✅ Approved
Board voted 3-0 to officially sanction the May 17 parade (1 PM, Middel School to Town Common); Chief Fitzgerald noted a permitting process will be required going forward.
💬 Discussed
Proposed agreement would route all 911 and fire calls to Holbrook's dispatch center; described as cost-neutral via reduced capital expenses and contingent on Holbrook's State 911 grant — both towns' counsels are reviewing, vote expected at next meeting.
💰 Cost-neutral per Chief Fitzgerald; dependent on State 911 grant funding
💬 Discussed
If the override fails: 37 staff positions eliminated, all middle/high school sports and extracurriculars cut, late buses eliminated, and building maintenance reduced by $150,000; FY26 total school cost was ~$41M with $26M from the town.
💰 $41M total FY26 school cost; $26M town contribution; $150,000 maintenance cut if override fails
💬 Discussed
Town carpenters recently completed dugout upgrades at the Harpin Street baseball fields.
📍 Harpin Street
💬 Discussed
Additional funding secured after a budget shortfall; contracts being finalized and bids will be solicited to complete the ADA improvements.
📍 Blackstone Street
💬 Discussed
Algonquin Gas is testing the existing pipeline ahead of a planned expansion; public open house May 14 at Coachmen's Lodge.
📍 Coachmen's Lodge
💬 Discussed
State housing office granted project eligibility for the senior and veteran housing project at 46 Depot St, allowing the applicant to finalize their application and seek ZBA approval.
📍 46 Depot Street
💬 Discussed
The town was targeted by a scam emailing board applicants to pay fees via wire transfer; the town states it will never request wire payments.
💬 Discussed
New flooring installed in the library's activity room over April vacation.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned 4-0 at 8:30 PM.
May 4, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on National Grid plan 31282407 to install a mid-span pole (P101-2) about 55ft from P101-1 on Pulaski Blvd, plus underground laterals and wires.
📍 Pulaski Blvd
📋 Proposed
Hearing on transferring the package store wine & malt license from New Frank Corp. to SHEDA, Inc. (dba Bellingham Beer & Wine), manager Nimaben Patel.
📍 20 North Main Street
📋 Proposed
Candidate Kaya Sahin to be interviewed for the Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee.
📋 Proposed
Jim Hastings to present parade details, with a board vote to sanction the parade.
📋 Proposed
Vote on an intermunicipal agreement with Holbrook for cooperative operation of a primary Fire/911 dispatch system.
💬 Discussed
School Committee presents the FY27 budget.
• Status unclear
Standard closing agenda items for additional business and the Town Administrator's report.