Shelburne Board Rejects Mechanic Street Housing Plan
Shelburne Select Board splits 1-2 against declaring a tax-foreclosed Mechanic Street lot surplus, stalling an affordable-housing plan years in the making.
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of April 6, 2026
Shelburne Select Board splits 1-2 against declaring a tax-foreclosed Mechanic Street lot surplus, stalling an affordable-housing plan years in the making. Member Andrew Baker, who has pushed the project, said the town has already spent roughly $77,785 on the lot and argued its $80,400 assessed value is "fictional" since it can only be developed as affordable housing; Chair Rick LaPierre and member Rod McBride voted no, citing a lack of a dedicated public hearing. The board separately voted 2-1 to recommend against a late $42,649 Mohawk Trail Regional School District capital request for a mower, light poles and a key system, arguing the items are maintenance, not capital, costs.
Members unanimously approved transferring Hot Fire Grill's liquor license to 10 Bridge Street and a $1,000 gymnasium window-grate change order, and heard a request for $10,000 in housing trust funds for the West County Food Pantry.
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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of April 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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