Meetings

JAN 5, '26

Commission approved wetland delineation ANRAD 002-1350 (131 Haverhill Rd), accepted Weston & Sampson as the peer reviewer for NOI 002-1356 (394 and B154/C155 TAP Transmission Line ROW), authorized peer review for ANRAD 002-1361 (27 Kimball Rd), and ordered a stormwater peer review and site visit for NOI 002-1360 (29 Lake Attitash Rd); the public hearing for the 152-unit development at 27.5-29 Clarks Road (NOI 002-1359) was continued to Feb. 2, 2026.

DEC 30, '25

DEC 22, '25

Planning Board approved the site plan for 47 Macy St (with a pre‑construction site survey requirement), continued review and directed staff actions on 45 Main St (Historic Preservation Special Permit — parking/roof height coordination with Police and DRC), and heard extended public testimony and peer‑review updates on large developments including Rocky Hill/27.5–29 Clarks Rd and related MassWorks/Clarks Road improvements.

DEC 17, '25

Informal TRC review and public comment on a proposed 40B build-to-rent development at 27 Kimball Road; developer presented a cottage-style multifamily concept and answered questions about traffic, wetlands, stormwater, emergency access and affordability.

DEC 16, '25

Board discussed updating the municipal health department fee schedule and agreed to pursue next steps, including determining whether a City Council vote is necessary; the board also lifted the cyanobacteria advisory for Lake Attitash following a recent inspection.

DEC 15, '25

DEC 10, '25

Discussion of a proposed invasive-species demonstration at Woodsom Farm (referred to DPW for review), invasive-plant removal and messaging around Batchelder (Po Hill) Park work, and referral 2025-121 concerning acceptance of a quitclaim deed for a subdivision open-space parcel at 47.5–57 Kimball Road; committee also prioritized an Open Space & Recreation Plan update for early 2026.

DEC 10, '25

DEC 10, '25

Committee confirmed receipt of a $150,000 Newburyport CPC award earmarked for the Grounds Redesign (expected January 2026), reported Phase 1 appears on budget, and discussed beginning Phase 2 planning and submitting 2026 CPC requests.

DEC 9, '25

Council approved two collective bargaining agreements (AFSCME 2025-114 and IAFF Local 1783 2025-125), authorized a $120,416.38 salary-reserve transfer (2025-126), withdrew three Kimball Road orders (2025-121/2025-122/2025-123), and finalized FY26 tax classification decisions (2025-124: adopt Factor 1; no open space discount, no residential or commercial exemptions).

DEC 8, '25

Board recommended approval of Bill 2025-121 to accept open space from the Kimball Road subdivision, continued review of the large 27.5–29 Clarks Rd development (peer review outstanding), approved a special permit for 6 Cedar Court (with DPW verification), and authorized bond/covenant actions including a surety bond release for 14 S Hunt Rd and release of 101 Market St Unit A from its covenant.

DEC 8, '25

Technical Review Committee reviewed redevelopment proposals for 45 Main Street (Fuller Building conversion of upper floors to apartments with storefront changes and a modest roof raise) and 5 & 9 School Street (Ordway Building conversion to six units with parking reconfiguration, a new sidewalk connection, and potential easements). The committee also reviewed a proposed dog grooming business at 47 Macy Street and an accessory dwelling unit conversion at 6 Cedar Court.

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.