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Dave Watkins

Gloucester Council Votes 8-1 to Adopt Nine-Month Historic Demolition Delay Ordinance

GLOUCESTER -- May 26, 2026, Gloucester City Council adopts demolition delay ordinance, votes 8-1 to protect historic buildings. The council Monday approved a new Article 6 to the city's building ordinance requiring the Gloucester Historical Commission to review demolition permit applications for any of the roughly 1,100

Essex School Panel Votes Unanimously to Hire Construction Manager at Risk

ESSEX -- May 26, 2026, Essex school building committee unanimously adopts construction management at risk for new elementary school. The Essex Elementary School Building Committee voted 9-0 Tuesday night to use the construction management at risk delivery method for the town's new elementary school project, with industry members

This Week in Essex County: May 18 - May 24

1 stories from Essex County News this week.

Saugus Planning Board Clears Two Projects, Flags Unpermitted Pile-Driving at Storage Site

Saugus Planning Board approved two project modifications and flagged unpermitted construction at a Broadway self-storage site Thursday.

North Andover School Committee Takes First Steps Toward New High School Science Curriculum

NORTH ANDOVER -- May 21, 2026, North Andover School Committee advances new high school science curriculum and five-year strategic plan on first reads. The committee heard a detailed proposal from Director of Teaching and Learning Kara Larcombe to adopt OpenSciEd, an inquiry-based, EdReports-rated program, for biology, chemistry, and

Newbury ZBA Continues Plum Island Rebuild Hearing Over Size Concerns

NEWBURY -- May 21, 2026, Newbury ZBA continues contested Plum Island rebuild for the second time, citing scale concerns and missing Conservation Commission review. The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously at its May 21 meeting to continue the special-permit application of Gerard Fandetti for 15 Sunset Drive to June

Gloucester Planning Board Continues All Three Agenda Items, Sets June and August Hearings

GLOUCESTER -- May 21, 2026, Gloucester Planning Board votes unanimously to continue all active items at May 21 session. The board voted 7-0 on three separate continuances: a Major Project Special Permit for a 40-unit mixed-use development at 150 Main Street submitted by Gloucester Maine, LLC, pushed to

Newbury Planning Board Continues Central Street Subdivision Hearing to June 3

NEWBURY -- May 20, 2026, Newbury Planning Board continues Central Street subdivision and receives broad housing and infrastructure update. The board voted unanimously at its May 20 remote meeting to continue the public hearing on a two-lot subdivision at 15 Central Street, applicant Michael Becker through 15 Central Street, Byfield,

Newbury Library Names Search Committee After Director Announces June Departure

NEWBURY -- May 20, 2026, Newbury Library Board launches director search after Hart announces June 4 departure. Library Director Haley Hart formally announced her resignation at the May 20 Board of Trustees meeting, ending roughly 14 years in the role. The board unanimously appointed trustees Alexander Burick and Melissa Mashburn to

Hamilton Planning Board Continues Cell Tower Hearing, Denies Willow Street Special Permit

HAMILTON -- May 20, 2026, Hamilton Planning Board opens first hearing on 110-foot cell tower, denies Willow Street special permit. The board voted unanimously, 7-0, at its May 19 meeting to continue a public hearing on a proposed monopole at the town's public safety building to June

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