Meetings

AUG 24, '26

The School Committee approved the 2026–27 school handbooks (noting they are living documents) and adopted the district and school committee goals for 2026–27. The committee also received an update on the Whittier regional agreement amendment work related to an MSBA school project and accepted a $1,000 donation for eighth grade social studies.

AUG 24, '26

Planning Board approved a definitive subdivision for 14 Maple St., endorsed the covenant and final plans for 29 Water St., and approved an ANR for 135–145 Main St. The board heard a Sunrise Bagels pre-application for 46 Elm St. and discussed progress on the large Rocky Hill development (continued for further review).

AUG 10, '26

The School Committee adopted policy JKAA (Timeout, Seclusion, and Physical Restraint of Students) with added parent-notification and posting requirements; the committee also authorized surplus disposal of three unroadworthy district vans and accepted $5,000 in donations for the Windrush Therapeutic Writing Program.

AUG 10, '26

Planning Board directed staff to draft a decision for the 12 Oak St ADU after a late building-code issue, requested staff begin drafting an order of conditions for the Rocky Hill development, approved a minor driveway/paving modification at 7 Birch Ln, approved a minor amendment for 102 Kimball Rd (house rotation, pervious driveway), and authorized release of covenants for Units 101B and 101C at 101 Market St.

AUG 6, '26

The TRC approved the CMMP for 29 Water Street (conversion of the mill building into six condos). The committee also reviewed prospective projects at 46 Elm St. (Sunrise Bagel) and 40 Water St. (Port Pickle indoor pickleball facility), discussing parking, occupancy, site layout, and coordination with inspections, fire, police, and OCED.

AUG 3, '26

The Commission continued the Rocky Hill MBTA Community Development Project hearing (DEP 002-1362) to September 8 and requested Beta (peer reviewer) attend. The Commission also issued a Certificate of Compliance for the retaining wall work at 26 Merrimac Street (DEP 002-1343).

JUL 28, '26

Council approved borrowing $1.6M to purchase up to two fire pumpers (Bill 2026-117), authorized transfers including $15,000 to public health salaries (Bill 2026-119) and $48,000 to the water sick-leave buyback (Bill 2026-118), approved surplus of municipal vehicles (Bill 2026-120), adopted revisions to the Council's Rules and Procedures Addendum L, and confirmed appointment of election workers for the 2026 state elections (Bill 2026-121).

JUL 27, '26

Planning Board approved new signs for 135 Main St (Main Street Congregational) and two signs at 100 Macy St (Oye Mira and Stop & Shop); released Lots 1 and 3 from the 201 Elm Street covenant with modified requirements including a buyer affidavit; authorized staff to obtain peer review of the 102 Kimball Road stormwater report if the city cannot review and requested DRC review of the revised design; and accepted $12,000 in lieu of an immediate raised crosswalk at 2 Merrimack St while reducing the planting bond.

JUL 23, '26

Decisions on three residential matters — variance approved for 136 Haverhill Road, finding approved for 10 Portsmouth Road, and special permit plus variance approved for 253 Main Street — and continued review of the 27 Kimball Road comprehensive permit with a staff study ordered to assess whether a Road Safety Audit is warranted.

JUL 22, '26

The committee adopted the language presented in the current draft of the Community Preservation Plan (Passed 4-2-1) and decided the eligibility form will be 'highly recommended'; a public hearing on the plan will be scheduled at a later date.

JUL 21, '26

Committee reviewed and recommended forwarding Bill 2026-117 (authorize borrowing $1,600,000 to purchase two fire pumpers) to the full City Council; members also recommended forwarding Bill 2026-118 (transfer $48,000 from Water retained earnings to Water sick-leave buyback), Bill 2026-119 (transfer $15,000 to partially fund a public health nurse), and Bill 2026-120 (declare several municipal vehicles and equipment surplus).

JUL 16, '26

Final approvals given for Historic Preservation Special Permits at 29 Water St and 9 Oakland St; commission also authorized a letter endorsing preservation of Duxbury's Powder Point Bridge.

JUL 14, '26

Council approved appointment 2026-116 (Mark Baggeroer to the Design Review Committee), accepted a drainage easement at 11 East Greenwood (2026-106), granted a utility easement at 10 Water Street (2026-107), and adopted amendments to the Solid Waste ordinance with a fee schedule (2026-109). Several budget and transfer orders — including a $1.6M borrowing for two fire pumpers (2026-117) and transfers related to Water and Public Health (2026-118, 2026-119) — were referred to the Committee of the Whole for further review.

JUL 13, '26

Planning Board approved the historic-preservation site plan for 29 Water St (including waivers and a payment-in-lieu framework), approved 9 Oakland St.'s site plan with a $10,000 cap on required off-site parking mitigation, endorsed the ANR for 5 and 13 School St., and approved the sign for 26 Friend St.; the Lake Attitash addition at 30 Lake Attitash Rd was approved with DPW stormwater review and ConCom conditions.

JUL 9, '26

Review of 83-91 Macy St (Leaf Water Farms) — a proposed 6,000+ sq ft phased indoor hydroponic growing facility with retail/kitchen and riverfront/bridge access — and discussion of 6 Morrill St (Skog and Stone) — a proposed permanent sauna/bathhouse and lounge; 12 Oak St ADU was listed but applicant absent.

JUL 8, '26

Approved funding: $500 for new Cultural Center rack cards, $4,000 for Open Studios 2026 marketing, and $2,000 for guest performers at Open Studios.

JUL 6, '26

The Commission considered multiple permit matters including the multi-lot Elm Street NOI (265R–287.5 Elm St.) and an ADU at 3 Old Merrill St.; it issued Negative Determinations for 0 Deer Island and 7 Birch Lane, granted a Certificate of Compliance for 28 Lake Attitash Rd. (DEP 002-1284), and lifted the Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road.

JUN 25, '26

JUN 24, '26

Committee voted 4-3 to remove language in the Community Preservation Plan’s Community Housing evaluation criteria that prioritized local residents, city employees, and employees of local businesses.

JUN 23, '26

Council approved the Housing Production Plan 2024-2029 (2026-086), authorized a $1,199,660 Seaport Economic Council grant amendment for the Washington Landing Boat Launch restoration (2026-103), and established a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (2026-108). The council also approved revised FY26 inter-departmental transfers (2026-110) and granted storage-permit change-of-ownership approvals for 241-243 Main St (2026-112) and 132 Elm St (2026-113).