Council continues battery storage zoning hearing to Dec. 1

City Council · Meeting of October 27, 2026

HAVERHILL — The Haverhill City Council continued a contentious battery energy storage zoning hearing to December 1 after residents objected to a proposed Hilldale Avenue site. City Solicitor Lisa Mead told councilors that without a local overlay, battery facilities could be sited "anywhere where a commercial operation can go" under state law. Residents Daniel Brosnan and Dana Wilds warned of worsening truck traffic and inadequate fire hydrants near the Little River.

The council voted 10-0 to continue the hearing, with Vice President John Michitson and Councilor Devan Ferreira moving the continuance. Separately, the council voted 8-2 to adopt zoning amendments banning data centers citywide and removing the special permit requirement for three-family homes in the RU zoning district, following Councilor Ferreira's data showing roughly 114 existing three-unit structures there. An amendment to strike the three-family change failed 4-6.

The council also accepted a $200 gift from Wingate Residences for a Council on Aging Halloween party.

In the full story:

• Opening business and recognitions
• Fire safety and home heating assistance
• Gift acceptance and bond order
• Whittier statue proposal
• Eagle Scout recognition and lead poisoning prevention presentation
• Zoning ordinance amendments: data centers, RU housing, and permit changes
• Battery energy storage system overlay district: Hilldale Avenue
• Related Boston Road development hearing
• Routine business
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,947 words

Source: the City Council meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.