Cheshire Awarded Two Bridge Grants, Pursues Federal ADA Bathroom Funds

CHESHIRE — May 27, 2026 — Cheshire Select Board receives two state bridge grants and pursues federal ADA bathroom funding. Town Administrator Jennifer Morse reported Tuesday that the town was awarded grants under both the Small Bridge Municipal Program and the Community Culvert Grant Program for two Lanesboro Road crossings, with MassDOT taking over engineering expected to total roughly $100,000 before a construction-phase application follows. Morse also briefed the board on a pending Municipal Tribal Assistance Program application to fund ADA-compliant bathrooms at the community house, backed by an updated $57,600 engineering proposal from Ty and Bond — an increase from a 2024 estimate — with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's CJ Haas and UMass Collins Center's Steve Ellis assisting on the application. The board voted 5-0 to accept minutes from a prior police chief hiring discussion after member Scott McBurt requested a clarifying note that his concern about perception did not mean he supported immediate hiring. Sean McGrath abstained on the Rotten Gun Club one-day liquor license for June 13.