GREENFIELD — During a lengthy meeting last week that included discussion on the city budget for fiscal year 2027 and a statewide rent control initiative, city councilors also heard updates on the Shelburne Road washout and the transition to single-stream recycling.
Councilors also reconciled differences in sections of the city’s zoning ordinances, created a revolving fund for the Health Department, and appointed members to the Franklin County Technical School Committee and Greenfield Community Television board of trustees.
Shelburne Road washout
Mayor Ginny Desorgher told city councilors that Shelburne Road will remain closed to through traffic for the foreseeable future as repairs are estimated to cost $20 million, a cost “beyond the city’s means.”
The road has been closed to through traffic since last month, due to a washout at the Wheeler Brook culvert. Local access to properties on the west side of the washout is only maintained from Shelburne, and access to properties east of the washout is only from Greenfield.
“Our staff have been looking at options for fixing Shelburne Road since the culvert washed out in April. The reality is the whole road is crumbling. I went up there a week ago, and another large chunk of the road had fallen away,” Desorgher said. “Our estimate is around $20 million to get that road reopened, and a project of that scale is beyond the city’s means right now.”
She said the city has been in contact with the two households on the other side of the washout and has made arrangements for the residents to have their trash picked up. In case of emergency, first responders will be dispatched from Shelburne.
Russ Kaubris appointed to Franklin Tech School Committee
City Council unanimously voted to appoint Russ Kaubris to Franklin Tech’s School Committee, filling a vacancy left by the death of George VanDelinder. Kaubris will serve the remainder of the term, which ends Dec. 31.
In January, Kaubris retired from his role as business manager at Franklin Tech after 29 years. In his letter of interest to the Mayor’s Office, Kaubris said he always planned to eventually serve on the committee, and with changes in school leadership following the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Richard Martin, he hopes his knowledge of the district will help make the transition smoother.
“I had planned on waiting a few years before making this request, but circumstances are ever-changing at the school district. The superintendent has announced his upcoming retirement, and the facilities director has scheduled his long-planned retirement. Both retirements will be effective this June 30,” Kaubris said. “With the upcoming vote on the new school building project, coupled with the retiring institutional knowledge of the two aforementioned positions, I believe I could provide effective representation for [the Mayor’s] Office and the citizens of Greenfield.”
Susan Maiorana appointed to GCTV’s board of directors
City Council voted to appoint Susan Maiorana to GCTV’s board of directors to fill a vacancy due to the resignation of Jonathon Weber.
Maiorana will serve the rest of the term, which is set to end Dec. 31. Weber had resigned in April due to a conflict of interest due to his role on the Cable Advisory Board.
Maiorana also works in City Hall as an economic and community development assistant and freelance video editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in film from the San Francisco Art Institute, which she attended after starting her film journey at Greenfield Community College.
Recycling transition
Earlier this month, the city transitioned to blue recycling carts and an automated pickup system, and Desorgher told the council that the transition is going well.
“We’ll be ironing out some of the wrinkles over the coming weeks, but I’m hopeful that this change will increase efficiency and reduce injuries among our staff. I also think the recycling carts are a nice upgrade for most residents,” Desorgher said. “Collection with the new trucks is off to a good start. Most residents are following the guidelines for cart placement and our staff are adjusting quickly to the new equipment.”
Desorgher said the city has been notified that some households were missed in the initial drop-off of recycling carts, and anyone who still needs a cart can get one by filling out a form at greenfield-ma.gov/residents/automated_recycling_transition_/index.php.
Zoning changes
Councilors voted to change the city zoning ordinance Chapter 200, Section 200-5.3, regarding setbacks and fence height. Council Vice President John Garrett said the section had been missed last year when the city updated the zoning regulations, and the changes would bring it in alignment with other sections of code.
“Essentially what this does is it’s a cleanup of the code as it exists,” Garrett said. “Last year, we passed a change of the height restriction in the Central Commercial District. This section of the code was missed.”
The changes remove references to the Central Commercial District and specify different residential sizes that must comply with regulations for non-residential districts. Additionally, it removes the phrase “minimum setback line” and specifically states that fences cannot exceed 4 feet within 25 feet of the front of the building.
Revolving fund
City Council approved creating a revolving fund for the Health Department, Board of Health and Valley Health Regional Collaborative.
Precinct 9 Councilor Max Webbe said the fund was recommended by the Ways and Means Committee as a tool for the Health Department to cover expenses.
“We voted on this in Ways and Means and it received a positive unanimous [vote]. We spoke to the mayor and to the finance director about this decision and they weighed in on which type of revolving loan would be most appropriate for the Board of Health to be using. It’s my understanding that the health director and Board of Health brought this forward as a best-practice tool and we’re following through with that,” Webbe said. “It’s a revolving fund, so what goes in goes out and what stays there is just for [the Health Department].”
Correction, May 29, 2026 12:01 pm: This story has been amended to correct the position Susan Maiorana has been appointed to. She was appointed to the GCTV Board of Directors.
