Board votes to freeze Barrington Brook developer permits
Planning Board · Meeting of July 30, 2026
Great Barrington Planning Board freezes developer permits at troubled Barrington Brook subdivision. The board voted unanimously Thursday, on a motion from Vice Chair Pedro Pachano seconded by Jeremy Higa, to recommend the Building Department hold all permits, including certificates of occupancy, tied to the developer in the subdivision's Estates section. Trustee Sharon Shaloo said Dr.
David Margulies is racing to close a sale of his last lot before September 11 to buyer Mark Giarrusso, who she said has no funds to finish outstanding work, and cited a $15,000 quote to fix one botched driveway against a sub-$3,000 estimate to repair the entire road. Assistant Town Manager Christopher Rembold said "the town is holding permits that may be currently open and active" as leverage. Separately, the board debated loosening its 45-room hotel cap, with Clerk Jonathan Hankin recalling he wrote the limit to keep out chain hotels, while Pachano called occupancy "just a business decision" for owners to make.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
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- The complete report — 3,480 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of July 30, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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