Great Barrington Select Board unanimously adopts updated immigration Trust Policy 2.0

LENOX — April 27, 2026 — Great Barrington Select Board adopts Trust Policy 2.0, overhauling immigration procedures and creating a community advisory board. The board voted unanimously Monday to approve the policy, a procedural annex to the town's 2017 immigration trust policy, establishing documentation requirements for police encounters with federal immigration agents, multilingual communication standards, and a one-year pilot Community Care Team that will advise the town manager and police chief on implementation. Community advocate Gwendolyn, who shepherded the document with Multicultural BRIDGE, described it as "a living document" designed to evolve with community needs. Rosa Ramirez of BRIDGE told the board the policy "removes barriers" that cause immigrant residents to avoid reporting crimes and seeking medical care. The board also approved the transfer of an all-alcoholic beverages package store license at 490 Main Street to Rangolina Liquors, Inc., the new owner of Trottas Fine Wine and Spirits, and resolved a formal complaint against Chair Steve Bannon — who cut off a resident's comments at a February 9 meeting — by directing the town manager and two board members to conduct a comprehensive review of all Select Board bylaws.