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Dave Watkins

Gloucester ZBA Approves All Eight Applications at Packed May Meeting

GLOUCESTER -- May 28, 2026, Gloucester's Zoning Board of Appeals granted all eight special permits and variances on its May 28 docket, with no applications denied or continued. Chair Joe Parisi led the board through applications spanning a waterfront soaking pool at 50 Raleigh Shore Road, a full demolition

Danvers Conservation Commission Approves Four Permits at One Busy Meeting

DANVERS -- May 28, 2026, Danvers Conservation Commission approved four wetlands permits and issued an enforcement order at its May 28 meeting, completing a six-item agenda in under two hours. The five-member voting panel, chaired by Mary Haight, unanimously issued Orders of Conditions for 86 Elliott Street, where applicants

Wrong recording submitted: no Salem School Committee business found on tape

SALEM -- May 28, 2026, A recording submitted for the Salem School Committee's May 28, 2026 meeting contains no Salem, Massachusetts public business. The footage is an episode of "Discovery," a student-produced program from Salem High School, in which a student host interviews a school board

Conservation Commission Closes Two Old Orders, Releases Pool Mitigation Bond

NORTH ANDOVER -- May 27, 2026, North Andover Conservation Commission releases $2,500 bond after disputed blueberry shrub die-off, tightens future mitigation language. The commission voted unanimously at its May 27 meeting to issue a full certificate of compliance for 175 Olympic Lane and return the entire performance bond to

Lynn License Commission grants two new alcohol licenses, one ownership transfer

Lynn License Commission approves two new all-alcohol licenses and a lodging house ownership transfer.

Nahant School Committee adopts mandatory student restraint and seclusion policy

Nahant School Committee adopts expanded student-restraint policy ahead of August state deadline.

Wenham's Route 1A Traffic Project Won't Break Ground Before Spring 2027

WENHAM -- May 26, 2026, Wenham Select Board learns Route 1A traffic project will not begin construction before spring 2027 and could last two to three years. Town Administrator Steve Squinto told the board Monday that certified appraisals on seven or eight temporary construction easements are complete, with written offers totaling

Newbury Select Board Defers Plum Island Easement Vote to June 9

NEWBURY -- May 26, 2026, Newbury Select Board defers decision on disputed 17-year-old Plum Island beach easements to June 9. The board heard more than an hour of public comment from Plum Island property owners who argued they were coerced into signing 26 shoreline access easements in 2009 as

Manchester Planning Board Continues Verizon Tower Hearing, Advances Housing Plan Review

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, May 26, 2026, Manchester Planning Board opens Verizon tower hearing, defers decision amid questions on surety bonds and federal eligibility rules. The board voted unanimously May 26 to continue a public hearing on a special permit application by Selco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, to

Groveland Select Board Approves Bond Sale, Splits on Liquor License Conditions

GROVELAND -- May 26, 2026, Groveland Select Board receives clean audit, approves $3.2 million bond sale, and splits on liquor license conditions at May 26 meeting. Auditor Laura Stone of CBiz reported an unmodified opinion on the town's FY2025 financial statements, noting revenues came in approximately $874,000

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