Boards & Committees

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board

The mission of the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund is to provide housing options that are affordable to low and moderate-income households in Great Barrington.

Agricultural Commission

The Agricultural Commission serves as a facilitator for encouraging the pursuit of agriculture in Great Barrington and promoting agricultural-based economic opportunities in the Town.

Board of Assessors

The Assessors department establishes market-based valuations throughout the town, using a Market Adjusted Cost Approach to value properties.

Board of Health

The Health Department is responsible for ensuring compliance will all food service, septic system and well construction, lodging, public-pools, recreational camps, residential housing, and tobacco regulations. This department also investigates nuisance complaints, reports and follows up on communicable diseases, conducts annual clinics for residents, monitors beach waters, and regularly updates and exercises the town’s public health emergency plans.

Board of Library Trustees

Cemetery Commissioners

The Cemetery Commission controls all business matters pertaining to the Town's cemeteries, other than maintenance, and oversees the care and expenditure of perpetual care funds as provided in Chapter 35 of the Acts of 1934.

Child Care Committee

The Great Barrington Childcare Committee will examine and discuss the state of childcare options and accessibility in Great Barrington and provide recommendations to the Selectboard and town staff on issues related to childcare.

Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) shall study the needs, possibilities, and resources of the town regarding community preservation.

Conservation Commission

The 1957 Conservation Commission Act authorized each city and town in Massachusetts to establish a locally appointed municipal agency to plan for natural resource protection, acquire important land and water areas, and manage these properties for conservation and passive recreation

Council on Aging

The Claire Teague Senior Center serves the needs of the elderly population of Great Barrington by providing resources such as recreational, educational, social, and nutritional, entitlement assistance and transportation through the GBCOA Transportation.

Cultural Council

The Great Barrington Cultural Council awards grants to organizations and individuals for the presentation of quality programs in the humanities, sciences, and the arts.

Design Advisory Committee

The Design Advisory Committee reviews applications for all actions that are subject to the provisions of their Town bylaw and works cooperatively with owners of land, buildings, and businesses.

Downtown Great Barrington Cultural District

The Downtown Great Barrington Cultural District was established in October 2018, having received its official designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee serves as the Advisory Board, making recommendations to Town Meeting on the Town Budget and all Warrant Articles. In addition, the Finance Committee approves appropriations from the Reserve Fund.

Five Town Cable Advisory Committee

Great Barrington is part of a Five Town Cable Advisory Committee which also includes the Towns of Lee, Lenox, Sheffield, and Stockbridge. Each Town can have up to 3 representatives.

Historical Commission

The mission of the Historical Commission is to: protect and develop Great Barrington’s historic resources; manage and care for the Town Museum Collection; promote the preservation of significant structures; and develop programs that heighten public appreciation of the town’s rich architectural and historical resources.

Historic District Commission

Massachusetts General Laws establishes Historic Districts to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the history of the commonwealth and its cities and towns or their architecture, and through the maintenance and improvement of settings for such buildings and places and the encouragement of compatible design.

Housatonic Improvement Committee

The purpose of the Housatonic Improvement Committee is to foster the social and cultural well-being of Housatonic.

Housing Authority

The Housing Authority was created by unanimous vote at Great Barrington’s town meeting in May 1963.

Lake Mansfield Improvement Task Force

The Lake Mansfield Improvement Task Force (LMITF) was formed for the purpose of developing and implementing a comprehensive Lake Mansfield Improvement Plan.

Parks & Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Town by providing recreational opportunities for the community in Town-owned parks and ensuring that our parklands, playgrounds, and facilities are safe, clean and available for use.

Planning Board

Ramsdell Building Committee

The Claire Teague Senior Center serves the needs of the elderly population of Great Barrington by providing resources such as recreational, educational, social, and nutritional, entitlement assistance and transportation through the GBCOA Transportation.

Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC)

The Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC), comprised of representatives from the 13 South Berkshire communities, is charged with serving the residents of Southern Berkshire County about transportation, especially public transportation.

Southern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee

The Finance Committee serves as the Advisory Board, making recommendations to Town Meeting on the Town Budget and all Warrant Articles. In addition, the Finance Committee approves appropriations from the Reserve Fund.

Tree Committee

The Great Barrington Tree Committee was created by the Selectboard on April 25, 2011.

W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee

To preserve and promote Great Barrington native W.E.B. Du Bois's legacy as a scholar and activist for freedom, civil rights, progressive education, economic justice, and racial equality.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Great Barrington Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is an elected five-member board, with two alternate members.

Council On Aging Newsletters

Southern Berkshire Public Health Collabrative

Agenda & Minutes Archive

Veterans' Services