Southwick Morning Brief, Oct. 26: Select Board meets Monday at town hall

From Southwick News

• Conservation board extends South Road erosion deadline Southwick's Conservation Commission revisited an erosion-control enforcement case at 5 and 9 South Road, with a neighboring homeowner objecting to further delay while the surveyor remains backlogged on a required wetland report. Commissioners also weighed a 1.5-acre marijuana cultivation site on Granville Road and a possible land purchase near the Sofonowski preserve.Southwick News
• Select Board sends data center zoning rules to hearing Southwick's Select Board weighed new zoning language on data centers and battery storage after the Planning Board rejected a moratorium, with one member saying the town wants to get ahead of the issue before state or federal rules force its hand. The board also considered a $45,000 contract extending a zoning modernization effort through June 2028.Southwick News
• Health board sets hearing on cannabis septic variance Southwick's Board of Health scheduled an October 20 hearing on a septic variance for a marijuana cultivation facility after the applicant missed an abutter-notice deadline, as a sewer extension option drew concern over cost. Members also reviewed a food-safety consultant's work with New Main Moon restaurant and raised concerns about being left out of zoning talks on battery storage.Southwick News
• Planning Board approves Granville Road marijuana facility The Southwick Planning Board approved permits for the town's first marijuana cultivation facility at 34 Granville Road after the Conservation Commission signed off on a revised wetland report, while one member recused himself. The board also continued hearings on a Crepes Tea House outdoor-cooking expansion and a College Highway plumbing company amid fire code and easement issues.Southwick News
• Conservation panel approves Doiron Landfill closure plan Southwick's Conservation Commission signed off on closing the long-unpermitted Doiron Landfill on Sam West Road, which took municipal waste without a proper engineered cover from the 1960s through 1976, under a state consent order with construction planned for 2027. The commission added a vernal-pool survey condition and continued a separate South Road erosion hearing to November 2.Southwick News
• Council on Aging plans support group for seniors Southwick's Council on Aging sketched a new monthly support group for widows, widowers and single seniors, called Solo Southwick Seniors, aimed at launching in early December. Members also noted senior center classes will pause from October 19 through October 30 and the building will close November 3 for town voting.Southwick News
• Select Board hears hydrant safety concerns on Bugbee Road A longtime Bugbee Road resident told Southwick's Select Board that outdated fire hydrant markings and shared pump station design could delay emergency water flow, citing a 2018 house fire on the street that killed two people. The board took no action but separately approved a small gift to the library's account.Southwick News
• Health board approves cannabis farm septic system Southwick's Board of Health let a cannabis cultivation company install an on-site septic system rather than extend sewer line more than 1,140 feet across farm fields, after the nearest neighbor raised no objection. The board also opened debate over the town's first home-burial policy, with written criteria not expected until December.Southwick News
• Preservation panel shifts funds to school playground project Southwick's Community Preservation Committee moved money between reserve categories to cover the highest contractor bid for an elementary school's inclusive playground, after a switch in surfacing material promised savings. Members also tabled discussion of forming a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust.Southwick News

Happening Mon, Oct 26

• 8:30 a.m.: Early voting continues through Oct. 30 Southwick residents can cast early in-person ballots for the state election at the Town Hall Auditorium, 454 College Highway, through October 30, with hours extending to 6:30 p.m. on October 28.Town of Southwick
• 6:00 p.m.: Select Board meets Monday at town hall Southwick's Select Board meets Monday, October 26, at 6 p.m. in the Land Use Hearing Room at 454 College Highway.Town of Southwick
• 7:00 p.m.: Board of Appeals meets Monday evening Southwick's Zoning Board of Appeals meets Monday, October 26, at 7 p.m. in Conference Room 3 at 454 College Highway.Town of Southwick

Coming up

• Tue, Oct 27, 5:30 p.m.: Finance Committee meets Tuesday evening Southwick's Finance Committee meets Tuesday, October 27, at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 3 at 454 College Highway.Town of Southwick
• Tue, Oct 27, 7:00 p.m.: Open space committee meets Tuesday night The Open Space Recreation Plan Committee meets Tuesday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in Conference Room 2 at 454 College Highway.Town of Southwick
• Wed, Oct 28, 5:30 p.m.: Assessors meet Wednesday at town hall Southwick's Board of Assessors meets Wednesday, October 28, at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall.Town of Southwick
• Sat, Oct 31, 8:00 a.m.: Ballot processing set for Oct. 31 The town will conduct advanced processing of ballots for the state election Saturday, October 31, at the Town Hall Auditorium, with a backup session November 1 if needed.Town of Southwick

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