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Dave Watkins

Wenham Commission Continues Gordon College Music Center Hearing to May 11

WENHAM -- April 27, 2026, Wenham Conservation Commission continues Gordon College music center hearing, citing missing lighting documents. The commission voted unanimously Monday to continue the public hearing on Gordon College's Notice of Intent for the Adams Center for Music, a roughly 15,000-square-foot building with a

Swampscott Select Board approves Hawthorne lease, advances sewer inspection bylaw

SWAMPSCOTT -- April 27, 2026, Swampscott Select Board unanimously approves Hawthorne property lease in departing members' final session. The board voted 5-0 at its April 27 meeting to approve a 26-month lease of the Hawthorne property to a private hospitality operator at $10,000 per month, with the

North Andover Select Board Recommends Rodenticide Restrictions, Tables Eversource Gas Station Petition

NORTH ANDOVER -- April 27, 2026, North Andover Select Board backs rodenticide restrictions and tables contested Eversource gas station petition. The board voted to recommend favorable action on two warrant articles brought by Carol Disney of Save North Andover Wildlife, one a home rule petition to eventually allow a ban on

Essex Select Board Defers Shellfish Permit Vote, Seeks State Resource Study

ESSEX -- April 27, 2026, Essex Select Board defers action on reducing commercial shellfish permits, directing staff to consult state fisheries officials before setting a new cap. Shellfish Constable Billy told the board that only about 25 of the town's 94 permitted commercial clammers are active and that the

Essex School Committee Hears $91–$93 Million Elementary School Cost Estimate

ESSEX -- April 27, 2026, Manchester Essex Regional School District's School Committee received a $91 million to $93 million cost range for the proposed new Essex elementary school at its April 27 meeting. Superintendent Pamela Beals reported that the Essex School Building Committee took a unanimous straw poll on

Saugus Board of Appeals Grants Sign Permits to Steakhouse, Bank, Gas Station, Cannabis Shop

Saugus Board of Appeals granted five special permits and two variances at its April 23 meeting while continuing a contentious accessory dwelling unit case that raised questions about the board's legal authority.

Swampscott Finance Committee Recommends Budgets, Cuts Excess Levy Use to $1.49 Million

SWAMPSCOTT -- April 23, 2026, Swampscott Finance Committee votes to recommend operating, enterprise, and capital budgets for Town Meeting. The committee, meeting April 23, voted unanimously on all three budget categories after a session focused on trimming projected excess levy use, the amount of unused property tax capacity the town plans

Newburyport Conservation Commission Continues Two Plum Island Cases to May 5

NEWBURYPORT -- April 23, 2026, Newburyport Conservation Commission continues two Plum Island applications, citing missing state paperwork. The commission voted 6-0 at its April 23 meeting to carry both a pool-removal Notice of Intent at 137 Old Point Road and a sauna installation application at 82nd Street by Prince

Manchester Finance Committee Recommends $250,000 for Senior Center Design With Mandatory Checkpoints

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, April 23, 2026, Manchester-by-the-Sea Finance Committee unanimously recommends $250,000 for senior-community center design, cutting the original request by $100,000. After more than two hours of debate Wednesday, the committee voted 6-0 to recommend the appropriation from the Parks and

Lynn Council on Aging board sends bylaws to May vote

Lynn Council on Aging board votes to send revised bylaws to a May vote, moving officer elections to September. Chair Jakutis led the session, where staff member Tanya reported $6,529.37 in combined grant spending for the March 15-April 15 period.

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