BRPC Meeting - July 16th, 2026

The Meeting can be accessed at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LRh_NvFxSD-0W1z6GH5LRQ
(Registration Required)
Meeting ID: 869 8396 9075

Agenda

I.Opening(7:00)

a)Call to Order and Open Meeting Law Statement
b)Roll Call of Commission Members Attending the Meeting
c)Vote to Approve Minutes of the Full Commission Meeting on May 21, 2026*

II.Welcome to Newly Appointed Delegates or Alternates(7:05)

Newly elected Delegates or appointed Alternates are invited to introduce themselves.

III.Comments from BRPC Delegates and Alternates(7:10)

BRPC Delegates & Alternates may offer comments on any item not on the agenda. Any potential discussion or action must be referred to a future meeting.

IV.Comments from the Public (7:15)

Members of the public may offer comments regarding topics on the agenda or othermatters they wish to bring to the Commission’s attention. Comments are to be directed tothe Commission. Commenters must state their names and the city or town they are from. Anypotential discussion or action must be referred to a future meeting.

V.Guest Speaker – Senator Paul Mark(7:20)
VI.Presentation & Discussion of Executive Committee Actions(7:35)

Executive Committee actions taken on the Commission’s behalf during the June 4, 2026, and July 2, 2026, meetings are presented for information and discussion.

VII.Vote to Approve Revised FY27 Budget*(7:40)

A memo describing proposed changes, as well as a proposed revision to the FY27 Budget is included in the meeting packet.

VIII.Vote to Elect BRPC Officers for FY27*(7:45)

The Massachusetts Regional Planning Law requires BRPC Officers to be elected annually. The officers for FY27 need to be elected. The following slate of officers is proposed for FY 2027:

Chair: Buck Donovan, Lee Delegate
Vice Chair: Malcolm Fick, Great Barrington Alternate
Clerk: Sheila Irvin, Pittsfield Delegate
Treasurer: Sam Haupt, Peru Alternate

Nominations will be taken from the floor.

IX. Vote to Approve At-Large Members of the Executive Committee, Appointed by the Commission Chair* (7:50)

The BRPC Bylaws stipulate that At-Large members of the Executive Committee are appointed solely by the Commission Chair, subject to the approval of the Commission. The Bylaws permit appointments of up to three At-Large members. The Commission Chair appoints the following At-Large Executive Committee members for FY27:

Mary McGurn, Egremont
Kyle Hanlon, North Adams

X. Vote to Ratify the Appointment of Chairs and Vice Chairs (if applicable) of Standing and Special Committees of the Commission* (7:55)

The BRPC Bylaws require the Commission to ratify the appointment of BRPC Special and Standing Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs. The Commission Chair appoints the following Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for FY27:

Standing Committees (chairs and vice chairs shall be delegates or alternates):
- Commission Development Committee Chair - Doug McNally (Windsor)
- Environmental Review Committee Chair - Mark Smith (Lenox)
- Regional Issues Committee Chair - Christine Rasmussen, (Stockbridge)
Special Committees:
- Berkshire Brownfields Committee Chair - Sheila Irvin (Pittsfield)
- Berkshire Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee Chair - Christopher Rembold (Great Barrington)
- Berkshire Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee Vice Chair – Marya Kozik (North Adams)

XI. Vote to Appoint Representatives to Groups Not Under the Jurisdiction of the Commission* (8:00)

The BRPC Bylaws permit the Commission to appoint delegates or alternates, BRPC employees, or other persons at any time to committees or commissions not under the jurisdiction of the Commission. These include:

- Westfield River Wild and Scenic Advisory Committee: Doug McNally, BRPC Delegate (Windsor)
- Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts: Sarah Gardner, Alternate (Williamstown)
- Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization: Buck Donovan, BRPC Chair & Alternate (Lee); Alternate: Sam Haupt, BRPC Delegate (Peru)

XII. Overview of the FY27 BRPC Commissioner’s Handbook (8:05)

The FY27 Commissioner’s Handbook has been distributed to each Delegate and Alternate and is included in the meeting materials.

XIII. Discussion of the Executive Director’s Report (8:15)

Please refer to the Executive Director’s memorandum to Commission Delegates and Alternates.

XIV. Open Discussion about Items of Interest in Cities or Towns (8:25)

As time allows, Delegates and Alternates are encouraged to discuss key items of interest in their city or town, such as town meeting updates, development proposals, changes in municipal leadership, proposed development projects, etc.

XV. Adjournment