Select Board finalizes Kelsey Road easement taking

Townbrief reporting Aug 17, 2026 From the Select Board meeting 8 min read

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Select Board · Meeting of August 17, 2026

Sheffield Select Board executed a Kelsey Road eminent domain easement and filled two town posts. The board unanimously voted to adopt and execute an order taking a public way easement on Kelsey Road, implementing the layout voters approved under Article 23 at the May 4 annual town meeting. Members also appointed Renee Wood as recycling coordinator, named Frank Gerritsen to the Ashley Falls Historic District Commission for a three-year term, approved a one-day alcohol license for an August 26 Dewey Memorial Hall event pending updated insurance proof, and raised the electrical wiring inspector's fee from $75 to $80 per inspection to match New Marlborough.

During public comment, Sunpike Road resident Susan Butler said 41 days had passed without a town response to her request to investigate roughly 14 dead trees, one of which fell across the road on July 30, saying "the town is more interested in advocating their responsibility than in doing what is right." Resident George O'Leary separately questioned a delayed dump-sticker check payment, saying "they should both be able to stamp the back of the check."

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The complete report — 1,968 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

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