The week ahead
Authorize $1.6M borrowing for two fire pumpers
City Council, Tue, July 21
The agenda includes four fiscal and equipment items: 2026-117 — an order to borrow $1,600,000 to purchase two fire pumpers; 2026-118 — transfer $48,000 from Water Retained Earnings to Water Sick Leave Buy‑Back; 2026-119 — transfer $15,000 from Budget Reserve to Public Health Salaries & Wages to partially fund a Public Health Nurse; and 2026-120 — declare various DPW, Water, and School vehicles and equipment surplus.
95‑unit Chapter 40B proposal at 27 Kimball Road
Zoning Board of Appeals, Thu, July 23
Public hearings on four zoning applications: a variance to build a single-family home at 136 Haverhill Road; a finding to add an addition to a nonconforming house at 10 Portsmouth Road; a continued special permit/variance to convert 253 Main Street from one- to two-family; and a continued Comprehensive Permit (Chapter 40B) for a 95-unit multifamily cottage rental development at 27 Kimball Road (with peer review memo review).
Last week
Historic‑preservation approvals and $10,000 parking cap
Planning Board, Mon, July 13
The board approved the site plan and historic‑preservation special permit for 29 Water Street and approved 9 Oakland St with an amended condition capping off‑site parking mitigation at $10,000. It also endorsed the ANR plan for 5 and 13 School Street and approved an addition at 30 Lake Attitash Road subject to DPW stormwater review and the Conservation Commission's conditions.
▶ Moments to watch:
- Church sign design and location dispute — starting at 0:05:24
- Payment‑in‑lieu formula and policy discussion for 29 Water Street — starting at 0:48:48
Council adopts Solid Waste changes; refers $1.6M borrowing
City Council, Tue, July 14
The Council adopted amendments to the Solid Waste Code, including a new fee schedule, via the Solid Waste ordinance. The body also approved several easements and appointments and referred an order to borrow $1.6M for two fire pumpers and related budget transfers to the Committee of the Whole for televised review.
▶ Moments to watch:
- Discussion of proposed Solid Waste ordinance and bin fee — starting at 0:11:11