Board leaves warrant alone, caps stair lift at $150,000

Select Board · Meeting of April 29, 2026

BROOKFIELD — The Brookfield Select Board left its stair lift warrant article unchanged ahead of the June 4 town meeting, setting a not-to-exceed $150,000 cap funded from free cash. Board members Richard A. Chaffee and Beth L. Coughlin discussed concerns over a vendor's proposed 30 percent upfront payment and prevailing-wage requirements under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 149. One member said, "We don't put the dollar amount in the article for a reason," while another said the goal was "real numbers to put in front of the townspeople so they're making an educated decision." The board also agreed to personally interview up to five interim town administrator candidates over lunch-hour Zoom calls without public comment, after the Hardwick town administrator offered after-hours help.

Members voted unanimously to authorize the chair to sign a contract assignment document, then voted 2-0 to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters, bargaining strategy and union negotiations.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
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• Brookfield's community access TV: Select Board meeting, April 29, 2026
• The complete report: 737 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of April 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.