ATHOL – The Selectboard will consider a proposal to declare the community a “non-sanctuary city,” following concerns that there is a lack of housing and resources to handle an influx of migrant families.

The proposal came at the board’s Sept. 19 meeting, after member Brian Dodge made a motion following Town Manager Shaun Suhoski’s update on the possible impact of Gov. Maura Healey’s state of emergency. The emergency declaration was made due to migrant families arriving in Massachusetts and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state. In recent weeks, several communities, including Greenfield, have housed migrant families in hotels.

The town manager explained that the Healey administration is looking to communities with available hotel space, as well as access to human services and transportation. While conceding the situation could change, Suhoski said, “As of right now, I don’t see Athol as a destination location.”

Dodge also expressed concern over demands that might result from an influx of migrants on the police and fire departments, as well as on the school district. Then – after reminding the board that each of its meeting begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and decrying the lack of a national policy “at the border” – he made his motion to declare Athol a “non-sanctuary city.” It was subsequently seconded by board member Kala Fisher.

“We don’t have enough housing for the people who live here,” Fisher said. “It would create more issues and we don’t need that here.”

Town Counsel John Barrett cautioned that voting on a motion that had not been placed on the agenda could amount to a violation of the state’s Open Meeting Law. Dodge withdrew his proposal and the board decided to place the issue on the agenda for its Oct. 3 meeting.

“Your concerns are shared by local leaders throughout the Commonwealth with respect to communication and coordination,” Suhoski told the board. “I think the governor’s administration is trying to get their arms around this; there are over 6,300 migrant households as of the (most recent) conference call.

“However, as the migration continues, they’re going to look and they’ll keep expanding out to other communities, looking for other options for housing. I don’t see that as imminent, but we are following it.”

Suhoski said there will be bi-weekly calls between state and local officials. In the meantime, the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) is compiling lists of contacts from all municipalities. Suhsoski said he has provided the MMA with his contact information, along with that of Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera – as the town’s emergency management director – and Health Agent Deb Vondal.

Suhoski pointed out that legislation has been filed in the Massachusetts House that would limit the number of migrants any community would be required to accept to 1% of a municipality’s total population. It would also require the state to improve communication, track costs and provide reimbursement to cities and towns.

“The administration is saying,” Suhoski continued, “that they will cover any added costs associated with this, but I don’t have the details yet because it hasn’t directly impacted us.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.