Hamilton Select Board on August 3, 2026
The Hamilton Select Board reviews new income and asset limits for the town’s senior tax exemption program, hears an update on the recycling barrel rollout, and begins planning how to invest nearly $2 million in one-time capital funds from land sales and leases. Board members also discuss emerging e-bike safety rules and a potential dark skies bylaw for outdoor lighting. 21mins
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Original Meeting
In This Video
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Chair Olson announced multiple openings on town boards and committees and then opened the meeting to a timed public comment period.
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DPW Director Olson updated the board on the rollout of new recycling barrels, described how residents waiting for smaller barrels and downtown businesses generating large amounts of cardboard were being accommodated, and outlined potential shared dumpster options for overflow recycling.
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The board heard a recommendation from the Chief Assessor and Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director to maintain the senior tax exemption age at 65 while setting updated income and asset limits for eligible households under the town’s Chapter 91 Special Act program.
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The board formally approved the updated Chapter 91 senior tax exemption income and asset limits while keeping the eligibility age at 65, then tabled the next agenda item for a future meeting.
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The Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director and Chair Olson discussed upcoming one-time revenues from property and lease sales, explained that these funds would flow into general revenues unless designated by Town Meeting, and emphasized directing them to capital projects rather than ongoing operating budgets.
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The Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director explained that selling the Patton Homestead buildings and land would generate one-time capital funds and, together with other revenues, prompted plans for community listening sessions while urging boards and committees to rank project priorities to avoid decision paralysis.
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Board members discussed growing safety concerns around children using e-bikes and mini-motorcycles, reviewed potential state and local regulatory options, and expressed interest in developing a town-specific e-bike bylaw.
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The Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director and board members discussed developing a dark skies bylaw to regulate outdoor lighting across town, noting existing citizen draft language, clarifying that the bylaw’s scope could include both residential and municipal properties, and planning to refine a draft with Town Counsel’s review.
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