Southwick panel cancels grant writer item, adds two police items

Other Committee · Meeting of January 7, 2026

Southwick's Master Plan Implementation Committee cancels a grant writer position, adds two police safety items. The three-member committee, Dave Speed, Diane Gale and Norm Cheever, joined remotely by Josh Redman, voted unanimously to cancel a 2025 master plan item calling for a dedicated town grant writer, at the request of the town's chief administrative officer, and referred the decision to the Select and Planning boards. Members also recommended two new police department items, funding for license plate readers at town access points and a study of speed-limit signage on commuter routes, but tabled a claim that the license-plate-reader project was complete since the readers haven't arrived.

"I'm in support of this because I do know that departments are very active and very successful in finding grants," one member said. Of 24 initial action items, 13 have gotten completion promises; 11 remain outstanding, including from the School Committee.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of January 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.