Belchertown Morning Brief, Oct. 21: State awards $472,600 for land, recreation

From Belchertown News

• Planning Board advances industrial zoning changes to town meeting Belchertown's Planning Board took up zoning bylaw amendments for the industrial zone that would open vacant former mill buildings to new uses and allow commercial parking by special permit, moves tied to a possible future commuter rail stop in Palmer.Belchertown News
• Assessors act on 27 FY2027 tax exemption requests Belchertown's Board of Assessors took up FY2027 property tax exemption requests from 27 residents, along with motor vehicle excise commitments and new Chapter 61 conservation land applications, at its Sept. 22 meeting.Belchertown News
• Planning Board weighs Barrett Street lot division, data centers Belchertown's Planning Board considered a Barrett Street lot-division plan separating an existing house from a larger parcel, while directing the town planner to study how other towns regulate data centers ahead of a future town meeting.Belchertown News
• Drug Take Back Day set for Oct. 24 Belchertown will hold National Drug Take Back Day on the Town Common on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with police collecting unused medications and the town's BOAT program collecting vapes.Belchertown News
• Belchertown simplifies veteran tax work-off applications Belchertown's Select Board voted Oct. 5 to split the Tax Work-Off Program into separate veteran and senior tracks, dropping the income documentation requirement for veterans, who should apply by Oct. 31 for first consideration.Belchertown News
• Free energy coaching helps residents find heat pump rebates Belchertown residents can now get free, one-on-one coaching to find heat pump rebates, tax credits and installers through a regional pilot program funded by the state.Belchertown News
• Trestle Bridge repairs to start in early November Belchertown announced Oct. 20 that rehabilitation of the pedestrian trestle bridge over Jabish Brook on the Mass Central Rail Trail will begin the first week of November and take two to three weeks, closing the trail with a marked detour.Belchertown News
• Water District lifts outdoor watering ban The Belchertown Water District's Board of Commissioners voted to end the non-essential outdoor watering ban in place since September 2025, after the state lowered Belchertown's drought status to Level 0, allowing customers to resume outdoor water use.Belchertown News
• State awards $472,600 for land, recreation projects Belchertown announced Oct. 21 that it received $472,600 in state grants to help buy and protect the new Metacomet Hills Conservation Area and build a new multipurpose surface at Chestnut Hill Recreation Area.Belchertown News
• Flag retirement ceremony set for Sunday in Granby Belchertown Veterans' Services will hold a public flag retirement ceremony Sunday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. at 74 Pleasant St. in Granby, with American Legion Post 266 and Scout Troop 507 taking part.Belchertown News

Happening Thu, Oct 22

• 5:30 p.m.: Spooktacular Halloween event at Chestnut Hill Belchertown's Spooktacular Halloween event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Chestnut Hill Recreation Area, 57 State Street.Town of Belchertown
• 10 a.m.: Council on Aging hosts Zendoodle art session The Belchertown Council on Aging offers a Zendoodle drawing session at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Belchertown Senior Center, 60 State Street.Town of Belchertown
• 1 p.m.: Council on Aging Women's Singing Group meets The Belchertown Council on Aging's Women's Singing Group meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Belchertown Senior Center, 60 State Street.Town of Belchertown

Coming up

• Wed, Oct 28, 2 p.m.: Senior Center hosts Chasing Spirits program The Belchertown Council on Aging hosts "Chasing Spirits" from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Belchertown Senior Center, 60 State Street.Town of Belchertown

More events and things to do →

Browse this week: Government & development · Events & things to do
Every past edition

Know a newsletter, official, or group we should be reading? Reply to this email and name it.

Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.