Meetings

APR 7, '26

Discussion of municipal solid waste pickup plans for FY27–FY28 and a technical assistance grant offering 80 hours of support for the solid waste program; updates on city energy projects including HVAC upgrades, a citywide LED lighting retrofit, solar inverter repairs, and EV charging station revenue and maintenance.

APR 7, '26

Agenda includes a presentation of a proposed fund-raising plan, and discussions of Open Studios 2026, Art @ City Hall, and other public art projects.

APR 7, '26

Board will review and sign boat and motor vehicle excise abatement packets and consider real estate abatement applications; the board will also review approved exemption packets and individual exemption applications. An executive session may be held to discuss non-public records under MGL Chapter 59.

APR 6, '26

Commission selected Beta for the wetlands peer review (and VHB for stormwater) for the Rocky Hill development (DEP 002‑1362); issued an Order of Conditions for the power‑line NOI (DEP 002‑1356); approved ANRAD/ORAD determinations for 27 Kimball Road and 28 Haverhill Road; and authorized a Stantec stormwater peer review for 29 Lake Attitash Road (NOI 002‑1360).

APR 2, '26

TRC reviewed a major preapplication for a 150‑acre cluster subdivision at 2-6 Meadowbrook Landing Drive and discussed public access, wetlands, utility trenches, and required waivers. The committee approved the CMMP for 80 Haverhill Rd and recommended approval of the updated site plan and Historic Preservation Special Permit for 2-4 Elmwood St, and conditionally approved outdoor dining for Phoenix Café at 19 Main St pending Fire Chief sign-off.

MAR 25, '26

Discussion and referral actions on the Rocky Hill Development (MBTA-zoned Elm St parcels, ~385 units) and the 27 Kimball Road Chapter 40B application; committee circulated a draft Invasive Plant Management Plan for next-meeting review and referral to the Conservation Commission.

MAR 25, '26

Review of the Community Preservation Plan focusing on its proposed structure and timeline.

MAR 24, '26

Councilors took up the 27 Kimball Road (40B) request for comment (2026-069), heard resident safety and runoff concerns, approved a Teams page to compile councilor comments and continued consideration; the Council adopted revised Rules and Procedures (2026-008) restructuring standing committees into a Committee of the Whole. The Council also approved a $20,000 pocket-park earmark (2026-065), transfers from Budget Reserve to Revaluation and Legal Services (2026-066), and acceptance of a $14,858 MIIA wellness grant for public safety (2026-067), and reappointed Craig Bailey to the Retirement Board (2026-070).

MAR 23, '26

Board reviewed a major pre-application for Meadowbrook Landing Drive (a clustered subdivision near Lake Attitash), held a public hearing on restoration and infill at 19 Prospect Street, authorized peer review for 29 Lake Attitash Road, and approved a minor modification increasing units at 80 Haverhill Road from 4 to 7.

MAR 19, '26

TRC recommended approval to the Mayor for outdoor dining at Barking Dog (18 Friend St), Silvaticus Brewery (9 Water St), and Market Square Bakehouse (5 Market Square); the committee also heard a detailed presentation of the 95‑unit 40B cottage community proposed at 27 Kimball Rd (ZBA public hearing scheduled, peer review expected).

MAR 18, '26

Finance committee reviewed January financials showing a roughly $100K favorable variance (including a $75K Foundation request) and discussed FY2027 budget planning; DESE revenue is holding with a 6% projection and the committee will develop proposed salary increases for the April meeting.

MAR 17, '26

Discussion of shifting trash pickup costs from the City levy to a resident fee model (pay-as-you-throw options), strategies to divert food waste from the municipal trash stream, and an expected ~3% increase in trash costs for FY27 with combined trash/recycling exceeding $2 million.

MAR 16, '26

Discussion and decisions on a $5,000 Creative County grant application, finalizing a 3-month Artist Education Series plan, and continuing planning for the first exhibit at the Cultural Center.

MAR 13, '26

The board authorized school counsel to draft and submit the Board’s formal response to an Open Meeting Law complaint concerning the February 25 posting of the 30/60/90 plan, noting a technical posting error has been corrected and the documents published.

MAR 12, '26

MAR 11, '26

CDBG grant hearing: presentations by Pettingill House, Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, and Our Neighbors’ Table, and a Community & Economic Development presentation requesting funding for a Housing Rehab Program; the Trust also received a financial-planning presentation from Judi Barrett of Barrett Planning Group.

MAR 10, '26

Council approved a reduced Free Cash appropriation (2026-029) of $55,000 and confirmed three appointments to local authorities (2026-062; 2026-063; 2026-064, with a residency waiver). The council also referred a proposed amendment to Accessory Dwelling Unit rules (2026-068) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee and the Planning Board, scheduling a public hearing for April 14, 2026.

MAR 9, '26

Pre-application presentation for a 216-space, two-building condominium project at 28 Haverhill Rd. (including 20% affordable units) and continued public review of the large Rocky Hill Development with VHB traffic review and MassWorks-funded Route 110/Elm St. corridor improvements; Planning Board also advanced the 14 Maple St. historic preservation application and accepted a Board resignation to be forwarded to City Council.

MAR 9, '26

Presentation of the Poet Laureate plaque to Bryan Riley, an update on current finances and recent/planned Poet Laureate activities, and review of updated Poet Laureate Support Guidelines with potential edits and next steps to present to the Arts & Culture Commission (ACC).

MAR 5, '26

Public hearing: 27 Kimball Road (Chapter 40B) — developer presented a proposed 95-unit cottage-style build-to-rent community with 25% affordable units; ZBA authorized staff to solicit peer review (civil/stormwater, hydrology, traffic, conservation) and requested interdepartmental comments, and scheduled a special meeting on April 9, 2026 to continue review.