Bellingham, Massachusetts Development News
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Select Board Meeting 07.20.26
Published: Jul 20, 2026
Select Board Authorizes Response to Open Meeting Law Complaint, Approves Minutes, Reschedules Meeting
The Select Board voted to authorize the town administrator to file a response to an Open Meeting Law violation complaint received from Patrick Higgins. The complaint alleged that select board agendas failed to list the names of individuals being appointed or reappointed to boards and committees. KP Law drafted the response, which the board reviewed and authorized for filing with the Attorney General's office by the July 29th deadline. The board also approved minutes from the July 6, 2026 meeting and moved the August 17th Select Board meeting to August 24th due to scheduling conflicts.
Town Authorizes Contract for HR Department Assessment
The Select Board authorized the town administrator to execute a contract with the Colin Center to assess HR benefits, payroll, and administrative support functions. This assessment is prompted by the vacancy of the HR Director position and aims to restructure the HR department, define roles, and create job descriptions for key positions, including HR Director and HR Benefits Coordinator. The assessment, estimated to cost no more than $10,000 and funded through the existing HR department budget, will be conducted over three to four weeks, with findings expected by mid to late August. The town is working to move responsibilities, such as vehicle registration, from HR to the finance department. Existing staff, including the finance and school departments, have been providing interim support. The Colin Center previously assisted with the town administrator search.
Wicked Bites, Inc. License Amended for Expanded Hours; Regal Cinemas Approves Alcohol Manager Change
The Select Board held a public hearing and approved an amended license for Wicked Bites, Inc. to operate a fresh bakery and cafe at 93 Mechanic Street. The amendment adjusted the hours of operation from the initially proposed 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the application to 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to allow for a buffer zone. The applicant, who previously owned a restaurant in Shrewsbury, plans to offer fresh baked goods, morning breakfast sandwiches, and potentially lunch sandwiches as operations progress. The board also approved a change in alcohol manager for Regal Cinemas, Inc. Harper AB.
New Climate Law Introduces Consolidated Permitting for Clean Energy Projects
The Select Board heard a presentation on the 2024 Climate Law and its implications for local permitting of clean energy projects. The law introduces a consolidated local permitting process, requiring communities to offer this pathway by October 1st. This process aims to streamline permitting for projects up to 25 MW (solar/wind/anaerobic digestion) or 100 MWh (storage) by setting a 12-month decision timeframe and a single appeals pathway to the state's Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB). Developers opting for this process must also complete a site suitability analysis, potentially requiring enhanced minimization and mitigation measures. Larger projects above these thresholds are automatically permitted by the EFSB, with municipalities having intervenor status and access to grants for representation. The presentation clarified that while local bylaws still apply, the EFSB has zoning exemption authority for large projects.
Town Authorizes Bid Process for New Electricity Aggregation Contract
The Select Board discussed the town's electricity aggregation program, Bellingham Power Choice, managed by Paragan Energy Group. The program, authorized in 2016 and launched in 2017, has saved customers over $5.6 million compared to Eversource/National Grid basic service. The current electricity supplier contract expires in December, and the town needs a new contract by mid-September. The board voted to authorize the town administrator to solicit competitive bids from electricity suppliers and accept a bid if favorable, a process they have followed in the past. A one-year contract term was recommended due to market volatility.
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The Bellingham News archive
Planning Board Regular Meeting Agenda
Conservation Commission Regular Meeting Agenda
Board of Health Meeting 07.21.26
Parks Commission Meeting 07.20.26
Conservation Commission Regular Meeting Agenda
Select Board Meeting 07.06.26
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