BRPC - Meeting - Jan. 16th, 2025

This will be a virtual meeting as allowed by Ch. 2 of the Acts of 2023 extending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30 sec.20 until March 31, 2025.
The Meeting can be accessed at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3926128831?omn=84944174080
Meeting ID: 392 612 8831
Meeting Materials are posted at www.berkshireplanning.org. Click on the meeting in the Events Calendar to open them.

Agenda

1. Opening (7:00-7:05)
   
   1. Call to Order and Open Meeting Law Statement
   2. Roll Call of Commission Members Attending the Meeting
   3. Vote to Approve Minutes of the November 21, 2024 Full Commission Meeting
2. Comments from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Delegates and Alternate Delegates (7:05-7:10)
   BRPC Delegates and Alternates may offer comments on any item not on the agenda. Any discussion or action will be referred to a future meeting and not discussed at this meeting.
3. Comments from the Public (7:10-7:15)
   Members of the public may offer comments regarding topics on the agenda or other matters they wish to bring to the Commission’s attention. Comments are to be directed to the Commission. Commenters must state their names and the city or town they are from. Any discussion or action will be referred to a future meeting and not discussed at this meeting.
4. Presentation of Executive Committee Actions (7:15-7:20)
   Executive Committee actions taken on the Commission’s behalf at its December 5, 2024 and January 2, 2025 meetings are presented for discussion.
5. Presentation and Discussion about Bike and Multi-Use Path Planning and Development in Berkshire County (7:20-7:45)
   Senior Planner Nick Russo will give an update on the status of bike and multi-use path planning and development in Berkshire County with a focus on the Adventure to Ashuwillticook Trail, which recently received a $17.3 million award from the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) Program for 100% design.
6. Vote to Approve Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Fiscal Year 2026 Assessment as Recommended by the Executive Committee at its December 5, 2024 meeting to include a 2.5% increase over Fiscal Year 2025. (7:45 – 7:50)
   By law, BRPC must notify municipalities of their assessments no later than February each year so that they may be included in city/town budgets. With municipal budget preparation starting earlier and earlier, the BRPC Executive Committee voted to recommend the FY 26 assessment increase by 2.5% over the FY25 assessment. This recommendation allowed us to send a preliminary invoice to the town but it needs to be formally voted on by the Full Commission.
7. Presentation about the District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) Program (7:50 - 8:05)
   The DLTA Program allows municipalities to receive technical assistance by BRPC staff on a wide range of planning related topics. Municipalities must apply with the next deadline Friday February 21, 2025, District Local Technical Assistance 2025 - Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. BRPC staff will discuss the program.
8. Discussion about Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw Activities by Municipalities (8:05 – 8:15)
   The provision to allow protected use Accessory Dwelling Units by right as enabled by the Affordable Homes Act goes into effect in February. Members are encouraged to report on activities that are occurring in their town related to amending bylaws and any questions or concerns they have had.
9. Report and Possible Discussion of the Executive Director’s Report (8:15– 8:20)
10. Adjournment (8:20)

Other interested citizens and officials are invited to attend.
All times listed are estimates of when specific agenda items may be discussed.
City and Town Clerks: Please post this notice