Meetings

MAY 14, '25

Agenda includes a fundraising presentation by Rachel Heine (Columbus Metropolitan Library), an update on the Window Restoration Project, an IMLS funding update, consideration of upcoming Board elections, and the library budget and facilities/capital projects updates.

MAY 13, '25

Council approved Administrative Order 2025-01 creating the grant-funded Department of Public Wellness and referred the FY26 operating budget (2025-001) to a newly created Ad-Hoc City Council Budget Committee of the Whole for further hearings (second reading and public hearing set for June 10). Several mayoral orders and ordinances — including 2025-045 (No Parking on Lafayette St median), 2025-046 (Go Slow Children signage at Riverfront Dr), 2025-047 (Free Cash appropriation for FY26 capital), and 2025-053 (accept easement at 12 Elizabeth St) — were referred to the appropriate committees for review.

MAY 12, '25

Planning Board approved sign packages for Sunoco (108 Macy St.) and Phoenix Café (19 Main St.), approved a minor modification for the MA State Police generator installation at 89 Powwow St. with conditions, accepted six dimensional waivers and requested a draft decision for the Historic Preservation Special Permit/subdivision at 201 Elm St., and approved minor modifications at 13 Merrimac and a change of use at 21 Water St.; the Board also reduced the Bailey’s Pond performance bond.

MAY 7, '25

TRC reviewed three development projects: a Historic Preservation Special Permit and subdivision with a new single‑family home at 38-40 Prospect St.; a large mixed‑use conversion and six‑story addition for 124 apartment units at 1-9 Oakland St.; and a residential conversion of the Fuller Building at 45 Main St. Each application received a favorable recommendation from TRC subject to departmental conditions and further reviews (DPW, Fire, Design Review, Historical Commission).

MAY 6, '25

Council approved a $200 deposit for the Open Studios trolley and voted $850 to support Juneteenth; members agreed to form a public subcommittee and hire a consultant to develop a management and programming plan for the renovated Cultural Center, targeting a proposal by the June meeting.

MAY 5, '25

Approved: NOIs for docks at 81 Pleasant Valley Rd (with waiver) and 5 Pleasant Valley Rd; NOI approvals for 14 Lake Attitash Rd (deck) and 7 Beacon St (garage); Certificate of Compliance approved for 7 Point Shore Drive; partial COC and Enforcement Order for 12-14 South Hunt Rd continued pending a site visit; modification request for 77 Macy St. continued; emergency tree-removal certificates ratified for 133 Pleasant Valley Rd and 8 Lake Attitash Rd.

MAY 1, '25

Historic Commission will consider a demolition permit determination for 20 Pearl Street and review historic eligibility and a preservation restriction recommendation for 201 Elm Street. The board will also review a pending HPSP application for 38-40 Prospect Street and provide an initial advisory opinion on the 276 Main Street 40B comprehensive permit.

APR 29, '25

Approved seasonal outdoor dining extensions for Brewery Silvaticus (608 sq ft, on-street, May 1–Nov 1, 2025) and Market Square Bakehouse (340 sq ft, off-street, May 1–Nov 1, 2025); Barking Dog (120 sq ft) received a conditional approval pending the mayor’s letter of approval.

APR 28, '25

Planning Board approved an ANR for 473 Main St., continued the 201 Elm St. hearing and requested the applicant stake out proposed building locations; referred the 13 Merrimac St. modification to the Design Review Committee. The Board reduced the 130 Market St. payment-in-lieu to $240,000, approved bond adjustments and released the final two units from the covenant, and authorized a memo with comments to the ZBA on 276-280 Main St.; staff was also authorized to seek owner consent for a Meadowbrook parcel appraisal.

APR 22, '25

Council adopted Ordinance 2024-096 to expand the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District and approved a $500,000 MassWorks grant for the Clark's Road project (2025-037). The Council also approved COA grant funding (2025-038), an MOU with the MVRTA for an accessible vehicle (2025-039), acceptance of a $401,654.70 Complete Streets grant (2025-042), and confirmed the appointment of Marisa Batista as CFO (2025-043).

APR 22, '25

Trustees accepted a $5,000 Veterans' Heritage Grant (with required match) to fund Rocky Hill Memorial work and agreed that projects under $10,000 may proceed without additional approvals; vendor discussions with Flag ProForma are underway and Tom Champion will serve as point of contact. PR Monuments provided restoration quotes (Rocky Hill $3,467; Highlands $789; cemetery cannon $4,870) and the board agreed to schedule winterization/shrink-wrapping of the Franco‑American Memorial after Veterans Day.

APR 17, '25

Updates on the Playful Learning and Investigating History grant, a student-led presentation of the Vision of the Graduate, and plans for fifth grade celebrations.

APR 16, '25

Recommended approval of the Barking Dog outdoor dining permit at 18 Friend St; TRC discussed and provided advisory comments for a ZBA inquiry on 276, 278, and 280 Main St regarding the ability to connect to the Main St water main.

APR 15, '25

The Budget & Finance Subcommittee recommended favorable consideration to the City Council for several funding and program items: MassWorks grant 2025-037 ($500,000 for Clark's Road), Complete Streets grant 2025-042 ($401,654.70), EOEA COA formula grant 2025-038 ($69,165), an MOU for an accessible COA vehicle 2025-039, and a transfer from the FY25 Salary Reserve (2025-041) with intent to revisit the City Clerk’s pay.

APR 15, '25

APR 14, '25

The Subcommittee forwarded Order 2025-039 — a proposed MOU between the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority and the Council on Aging to provide an accessible vehicle for senior transportation — to the full City Council with recommended edits clarifying 'MeVa' usage and tightening termination language.

APR 14, '25

The Planning Board accepted withdrawal without prejudice of the Meadowbrook site plan and special permit, and recommended two grant orders to City Council: Bill 2025-037 (MassWorks Clarks Road design grant) and Bill 2025-042 (Complete Streets funding for sidewalks on Highland St. and an intersection redesign at Market St. and South Hampton St.).

APR 10, '25

The committee will receive training from Stuart Saginor, Executive Director of the Community Preservation Coalition, on Community Preservation matters.

APR 10, '25

APR 9, '25

Trustees approved an updated Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities policy and voted to recall the policy on lending to residents of municipalities with decertified libraries; trustees also noted the library received state aid and that no capital requests were granted this year due to the planned sale of properties on School St.