Meetings

DEC 4, '25

The Commission found 61 Whitehall Rd not historically significant following a demolition application review and continued review of the Demolition Bylaw to January; commissioners also discussed a proposed 92-unit 40B development at 27 Kimball Rd and a potential site visit to 9 Oakland St.

DEC 2, '25

Council adopted the FY26 annual tax classification (2025-124), setting the factor at 1.00 and declining residential, commercial, and open-space exemptions; the Council also approved a sewer budget transfer (2025-116) and referred firefighter contract funding (2025-125) and a salary-reserve transfer (2025-126) to Budget & Finance for review.

DEC 2, '25

DEC 1, '25

The Commission approved the Notice of Intent and a waiver for 61 Lake Attitash Way (noting stormwater/runoff concerns), accepted an open-space parcel at 47.5-57 Kimball Road, approved a Certificate of Compliance for 130 Market St, and ratified an emergency tree-removal certification at 14 Lake Attitash Road.

NOV 24, '25

Approved selection of Stantec (civil) and VHB (traffic) for peer review of the 1-9 Oakland Street application; Planning Board discussed the proposed 27 Kimball Road Chapter 40B (raised concerns about density, wetlands, traffic, and lack of sidewalks) and voted to seek a 15‑day extension or forward a memo of comments to the state; the Board approved a minor modification for MassGrow (non-cannabis expansion) and released the bond for 99 Lake Attitash Road.

NOV 20, '25

The board accepted withdrawal of variance and special-permit applications for 282 Lions Mouth Road and reviewed a state-level 40B filing for 27 Kimball Road, discussing density, single access concerns, the 20% affordable unit provision, wetlands jurisdiction, and the option to request a 15-day extension to the state comment deadline.

NOV 20, '25

Council appointed a co-chair and notetaker and reviewed the draft School Improvement Plan with discussion of staffing shortages, assessment practices, report-card communication, and classroom supports.

NOV 19, '25

Board advanced draft bylaws revisions (including new whistleblower, succession, and document-retention provisions), identified members for a Director Evaluation Subcommittee, and approved an SOP to standardize Accountability Committee use of student data. The board also approved a staffing plan to bring back the school psychologist part time and reviewed grounds redesign and playground work with an easement targeted for recording by mid-December.

NOV 19, '25

NOV 19, '25

TRC reviewed a State 40B eligibility filing for a proposed 95‑unit development at 27 Kimball Road (9-acre site) and agreed to request a 15‑day extension to the state comment period and to hold a public TRC meeting on 12/17/2025 to compile comments.

NOV 18, '25

Council adopted Ordinance 2025-112 updating the Solid Waste Code to add regulations on delivery and emptying of dumpsters (passed 6-1). The Council also referred multiple budget and administrative orders — including the AFSCME funding order (2025-114), a sewer budget transfer (2025-116), and the FY26 annual Classification Hearing order (2025-124) — to Budget & Finance, and referred several Kimball Road layout and deed items (2025-121, 2025-122, 2025-123) to planning-related committees.

NOV 18, '25

Trustees approved and marked three locations for an Eagle Scout project (concrete pads and benches), directed staff to complete and submit the Veterans’ Heritage Grant report to the state, and announced plans to pursue Purple Heart City designation targeting August 2026.

NOV 18, '25

Approved a new Section 12 All Alcohol license for 14 Merrimac Street LLC at 2 Merrimac St; raised one-day liquor license fees for for-profit applicants to $50 (non-profits remain $0); and declined to impose a local fee for ABCC Section 12D license conversions.

NOV 12, '25

Presentation and overview of the FY27–29 Library Strategic Plan by Paper Crane Associates; newly elected trustees Ann Langlois and Jane Becker were introduced.

NOV 10, '25

Approved: site plan for a temporary electrical substation at 0 and 14 Mill St (with nine conditions, including a floodplain statement). Other actions: ANR approval for 39 and 41 Oakland St; authorization for VHB peer review on the Rocky Hill Development; staff directed to obtain civil and traffic peer-review quotes for the 9 Oakland St redevelopment.

NOV 6, '25

Approved a preservation restriction for 45 Main St; received a staff update on a major redevelopment at 230 Main St that would preserve the Bagley House and add three new residential buildings; learned of a proposed 40B tiny-home development (~80 units) at 27 Kimball Rd with a scheduled site walk.

NOV 5, '25

Director reported that the new playground installation by Asheville Playgrounds is scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving; French drains will follow and stone dust surfacing is deferred until spring (the path will not be ADA-compliant until then). The director noted funding is contingent on an easement being filed with the City of Newburyport, targeted for early December.

NOV 5, '25

NOV 5, '25

Application for a 124‑unit redevelopment at 9 and 9R Oakland St. (historic preservation special permit and site plan review) was presented; a public hearing opens next week and Planning Board peer review is expected.

NOV 3, '25

Board approved the site plan for 9 Alenclair Drive (with landscaping bond clarified and ANSI gray finish required) and voted to hire VHB for traffic and stormwater peer review of the proposed 27.5–29 Clarks Road 146-unit development; the Board also heard presentations and public comment on projects at 45 Main Street (historic preservation/waivers) and 29 Lake Attitash Road (wetland/drainage concerns).