Housatonic Committee Names New Secretary, Approves Halloween Road Closure

Other Committee · Meeting of July 28, 2026

LEE — Housatonic panel advances a cultural district bid as its water-filter rebate fund nears empty. The Housatonic Improvement Committee unanimously named Betsy its secretary and welcomed new member Chris Wiltshire, while a presenter identified as Art warned the ARPA-funded filter reimbursement program has dropped from $250,000 in 2024 to "less than $34,000 in the till," with Housatonic Water Works still deferring a $1.4 million manganese filter and facing a $26 million distribution-system overhaul. Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove told the Select Board the night before that Lee will pursue a state Housatonic Cultural District designation, with a letter of intent due by the end of August and a Select Board presentation set for August 10.

Members also approved parks paperwork for an October 24 rehearsal and October 31 parade, where Berkshire Pulse will stage a "Thriller" flash mob, and set a 3:30-to-7:30 p.m. Halloween road closure on Main Street.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,196 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of July 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.