Sign in Subscribe

Dave Watkins

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

Essex Planning Board Advances Draft Decision on 36-Lot Open Space Subdivision

ESSEX -- May 20, 2026, Essex Planning Board debates open space control and public access for proposed 36-lot Bell Point subdivision. The board spent its May 20 meeting reviewing a draft decision for the Bell Point LLC open space residential development at Essex Park Road and Pond Street Rear, a

Zoning board continues Ocean Street case, approves gas station plan

Lynn Zoning Board postpones Ocean Street case, approves Summer Street gas station rebuild 5-0. The board continued Theodore Coronis' variance request at 206 Ocean Street to June 2 after a recusal left only four of five members eligible to vote, risking a fatal split decision.

Conservation Commission approves mobile sauna trailers on Plum Island with storm-removal conditions

Newburyport's Conservation Commission unanimously approved a mobile sauna operation in a Plum Island flood zone, with conditions requiring prompt storm removal.

West Newbury Planning Board Adopts Stormwater Rules, Hires Interim Planner for June Start

WEST NEWBURY -- May 19, 2026, West Newbury Planning Board unanimously adopts amended stormwater regulations and announces an interim planner starting June 8. The board voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve updates to its stormwater rules, including a new set of erosion-control performance standards for tree-harvesting projects disturbing one

Newbury Conservation Commission Closes Hearing on Central Street Wetland Crossing

NEWBURY -- May 19, 2026, Newbury Conservation Commission closes public hearing on Central Street housing wetland crossing, deferring decision to June 2. The commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to shut the record on a proposed MBTA-zoning residential development at 34 Central Street, where the applicant seeks to fill approximately 2,

Planning Board Continues Elm Park Loft Permits, Seeks Downtown Parking Count

GROVELAND -- May 19, 2026, Groveland Planning Board continues Elm Park loft special permits to June 2 amid parking questions. The board unanimously accepted and then continued two linked special permit applications from John Guilfoyle of FKG Properties, LLC, to convert the third floor of 1 Elm Park into four residential

Lynn Water Commission advances nearly $40 million budget, 4% hike

Lynn Water and Sewer Commission advances a $39,974,000 fiscal 2027 budget and a 4 percent rate hike.

North Reading School Committee Approves Calendar, Eyes Modular Classrooms Over State Building Project

NEWBURYPORT -- May 18, 2026, North Reading School Committee backs modular classrooms at Hood School and accepts $4,080 in donations. The committee voted unanimously at its May 18 meeting to approve its 2026-27 calendar and to send an amended support letter for state education legislation identified as H.4361.

Newbury Senior Center Article Loses at Town Meeting by Just 10 Votes

NEWBURY -- May 18, 2026, Newbury's Council on Aging lost its Annual Town Meeting architect-funding article by just 10 votes, pivoting now to a combined senior center and Town Hall facility. Chair Damon Despres told the board Monday that roughly 280 of the town's 12,000

All Essex County towns we cover · Every Massachusetts town on the Townbrief network.