Board Votes to Seek Ramsdell Grant Extension
Select Board · Meeting of September 22, 2026
Great Barrington Select Board votes to seek extra time on a state library grant after historic-preservation objections. Meeting jointly with the Library Board of Trustees, the board voted 5-0 to ask the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for extensions of both a December 31 and a June 2027 deadline, after a September 8 letter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission demanded an independent consultant review plans to demolish part of the historic Ramsdell Library. Town Manager Liz said, "I can't be a responsible town manager and tell you that we can afford moving forward with a five-plus million dollar project.
We can't." No cost estimate exists; officials cited figures ranging from $5 million to $12 million. Resident Jim Bailey called the library committee's preparation "a bunch of fools," while the board separately approved a $20.7 million wastewater treatment warrant article and voted to draft a zoning amendment removing the town's 45-room hotel cap.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,490 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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