Townsend, MA

Revised

Meeting

The Planning Board continued the public hearing for the 0 Seaver Road Definitive Subdivision and Major Stormwater Management Permit applications to August 10, 2026, at 6:45 PM. The applicant agreed to extend the Board's statutory deadline to act on the applications to September 14, 2026. The Board also unanimously approved the June 1, 2026 meeting minutes, nominated Cindy King as the Planning Board representative to the Community Preservation Committee, and recommended Jerrilyn Bozicas for appointment as Associate Planning Board Member. No final decision was made on the Seaver Road applications or the draft floodplain application form.

• Continued 0 Seaver Road subdivision and stormwater permit hearing to Aug 10, 2026 (5-0)
• Approved June 1, 2026 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Nominated Cindy King as Planning Board rep to Community Preservation Committee (5-0)
• Recommended Jerrilyn Bozicas to Selectboard for Associate Planning Board Member (5-0)
• Signed draft decision for 3 Wheeler Road stormwater permit modification
• Applicant agreed to extend statutory deadline to Sept 14, 2026

Meeting

The Townsend Select Board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the Police Department to allow officers to roll over accrued vacation/PTO time due to staffing shortages and 12-hour shifts. The board also approved a contract with GPI for Brookline Street engineering closeout, extended the CBIZ Advisors contract for town accountant services, and granted a hiring freeze exemption for a seasonal laborer. All votes were unanimous (3-0).

• Approved Police MOA for vacation/PTO rollover (3-0)
• Approved GPI contract for Brookline Street engineering, signed out of session subject to Town Counsel approval (3-0)
• Approved one-year extension of CBIZ Advisors contract, naming Elizabeth Braccia as Town Accountant adviser (3-0)
• Approved hiring freeze exemption for Intermittent Seasonal Laborer in Cemetery & Parks (3-0)
• Approved signing of payroll and bills payable warrants out of session (3-0)
• Appointed Cindy A. King to Hart Library Restoration Committee (term 07/22/2026-05/04/2027) (3-0)
• Approved all appointments/re-appointments for Cultural Council, Recreation, Cemetery & Parks, and Election Workers (3-0)

Meeting

The Community Preservation Committee approved the June 18, 2026 meeting minutes (4-0-1) and tabled the monthly CPA budget update. Members discussed a potential administrative assistant role, agreed to keep it as an agenda item, and planned to present a first draft of the Community Preservation Plan at the August 20 meeting. No major funding or project decisions were made.

• Approved June 18, 2026 meeting minutes (4-0-1, Congdon abstaining)
• Tabled monthly CPA budget update
• Agreed to keep administrative assistant role discussion as an agenda item
• Set target date of September 17 for public hearing, pending approval of advertising costs at August 20 meeting

Meeting

This document is the Town Clerk's political calendar for June-December 2026, listing deadlines for the State Primary, State Election, and a Town Special Election to fill two new Select Board seats. It provides dates for nomination papers, voter registration, early voting, mail-in ballots, and campaign finance reports. The agenda is procedural, containing no policy decisions or discussions.

• Town Special Election on October 6, 2026, to fill two new Select Board seats
• State Primary on September 1, 2026
• State Election on November 3, 2026
• Nomination papers require 50 certified signatures from registered voters
• Campaign finance reports due for all elected officials by January 20, 2027

Meeting

This document lists key dates for the 2026 election cycle, including a Town Special Election on October 6 to fill two new Select Board seats. It also provides deadlines for candidate nomination papers, voter registration, and mail-in ballots for the State Primary (September 1) and State Election (November 3). The agenda is purely informational and procedural, with no decisions or discussions scheduled.

• Town Special Election on October 6, 2026, to fill two new Select Board seats
• State Primary on September 1, 2026
• State Election on November 3, 2026
• Nomination papers available July 6, 2026, for Town Special Election candidates
• Deadline to register to vote for Town Special Election is September 25, 2026

Meeting

The Cemetery & Parks board voted to send Ben Smith's application for an intermittent labor position to the Board of Selectmen for appointment, and approved moving forward with a forestry plan presented by Tom Ashton for the cremation park area on Highland Street. The board also discussed green burials, a tree removal, and a potential roof replacement, but took no formal action on those items.

• Approved sending Ben Smith's application to the BOS for appointment (motion carried)
• Approved moving forward with Tom Ashton's forestry plan (all in favor)

Revised

The Planning Board continued the public hearing for the 0 Seaver Road definitive subdivision and stormwater permit applications to July 27, 2026, after hearing public opposition and discussing boundary issues. The board also granted the applicant an extension of the statutory decision deadline to August 10, 2026. A separate hearing for 22 West Meadow Road solar modification was continued to August 10, 2026, with republication of the legal notice. The board approved a stormwater permit modification for 3 Wheeler Road (3-0-1) and paid two peer review invoices.

• Continued 0 Seaver Road subdivision and stormwater hearing to July 27, 2026 (5-0)
• Granted applicant extension of decision deadline to August 10, 2026 (5-0)
• Continued 22 West Meadow Road solar modification hearing to August 10, 2026 (4-0)
• Approved stormwater permit modification SM2022-02 for 3 Wheeler Road (3-0-1)
• Approved Hoyle Tanner invoice $9,925.45 for 0 Seaver Road (5-0)
• Approved Graves Engineering invoice $1,451.75 for 3 Wheeler Road (4-0-1)
• Continued review of Chapter 175 regulation amendments to future meeting
• Adjourned at 9:42 PM

Revised

The Townsend Board of Health voted unanimously to send an order requiring VFW Post 6538 to obtain a food service permit within 7 days of receipt or immediately cease food service operations, with delivery via constable. The board also approved two local upgrade approvals (LUAs) for septic system groundwater offset reductions at 8 Old Meeting House Rd. and 2 Bayberry Ln., and approved $65,276.86 in FY26 invoices. The PAYT Enterprise Fund update showed expenses exceeded revenue by $32,000, but a $60,000 carryover remains; sticker prices were raised to $150 for FY27 to help close the gap. No other substantive decisions were made; several items were continued to future meetings.

• Approved order to VFW Post 6538 to obtain food permit within 7 days or cease operations (unanimous)
• Approved delivery of VFW order via constable (unanimous)
• Approved LUA for 1' groundwater offset reduction at 8 Old Meeting House Rd. (unanimous)
• Approved LUA for 2' groundwater offset reduction at 2 Bayberry Ln. (unanimous)
• Approved $65,276.86 in FY26 invoices (unanimous)
• Approved work session with Conservation for 61 Edward Rd. (unanimous)

Meeting

The Conservation Restriction Committee voted unanimously to recommend Woodsman Inc for the Baseline Documentation Report (BDR) after considering three bids. The committee also discussed the status of the conservation restriction review, funding from a $20,000 grant, and plans for presentations. No final approvals were made; the recommendation will go to the Town.

• Recommended Woodsman Inc for BDR (unanimous)
• Accepted May 14, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned at 7:41 PM (unanimous)

Revised

The Townsend Historic District Commission will review an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to modify the sign at Stewart’s Florist on the Common. The applicant proposes replacing the current white and pink painted wood sign with a blackened green wood sign featuring gold serifed text and a floral design, adjusting its size and positioning.

• Application for Certificate of Appropriateness for Stewart’s Florist sign at 252 Main Street
• Proposed sign: blackened green wood with gold text and floral design, slightly taller and slimmer than current sign
• Current sign: white and pink painted wood, 2’7” tall by 4’ wide

Revised

The Townsend Select Board approved the FY27 Lowell Regional Transit Authority agreement, a clerical bargaining unit MOA with a 2% wage increase, and a $150,000 Bixby Brook Culvert grant. They also approved warrants for the September primary and October special election, and suspended regular meetings indefinitely.

• Approved FY27 LRTA agreement, authorizing Interim Town Administrator to sign (3-0)
• Approved clerical bargaining unit MOA with 2% wage increase and one-time stipend (3-0)
• Approved disclosure form for Cindy Marie King, Commission on Disability (3-0)
• Approved warrant for September 1, 2026 State Primary (3-0)
• Approved warrant for October 6, 2026 Special Town Election (3-0)
• Approved listing surplus quad vehicle on Municibid (3-0)
• Accepted $150,000 Bixby Brook Culvert grant and authorized signing (3-0)
• Suspended regular Select Board meetings indefinitely (3-0)

Meeting

The Townsend Cultural Council met on June 30, 2026, and approved the minutes from May 26, 2026. The main business was planning the 'Art is action... Meet the Artist' event scheduled for August 13, 2026, at the Library/Senior Center Meeting Hall, with a list of committed artists and next steps for setup, flyers, and outreach. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded; the meeting was primarily administrative and planning-focused.

• Approved minutes from 05/26/2026
• Scheduled 'Meet the Artist' event for August 13, 2026, 4-7:30 PM at Library/Senior Center Meeting Hall
• Updated informational display with this year's information (Alice to complete)
• Assigned next steps: Nancy to contact schools, Linda to create artist placards, Linda to complete survey for Artist Showcase

Revised

The Townsend Select Board approved a three-year employment contract for Interim Town Administrator Kieran Meehan, including provisions for training, performance bonuses, and board expansion. The board also approved a two-year police union MOA with a 2% general wage increase plus an 8% wage adjustment, and accepted the resignation of Kevin Keefe effective August 14, 2026. Ten year-end municipal transfers were approved individually, and the board approved the FY27 Chapter 90 road project list.

• Approved Town Administrator contract for Kieran Meehan (3-0)
• Approved police union MOA with 2% wage increase plus 8% adjustment (3-0)
• Accepted resignation of Kevin Keefe effective 08/14/2026 (3-0)
• Approved 10 year-end municipal transfers totaling $92,692.70 (3-0 each)
• Approved FY27 Chapter 90 road list: West Elm St, Lunenburg Rd, Wares Rd, Vinton Pond Rd, Hog Hill Rd (3-0)
• Denied HR software reimbursement request for former HR manager (0-3)
• Approved hiring freeze exemption for Highway Heavy Equipment Operator (3-0)
• Approved year-end encumbrance for NMRHS concrete pad project, contingent on Ways and Means approval (3-0)

Revised

The Townsend Historic District Commission will review an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to submit building plans for a property at 401 Main Street. The meeting will consider whether the proposed exterior changes comply with local historic district rules under Massachusetts General Law 40C.

• Application for Certificate of Appropriateness for 401 Main Street
• Review of building plans for exterior changes under historic district guidelines

Meeting

The Townsend Planning Board voted 4-0 to grant a modification to the One Depot Street Extension age-restricted development special permit, eliminating the requirement for a permanent conservation restriction on the 21,054 sq ft open-space area while retaining the open space itself. The board also continued the Three Wheeler Road matter to July 13, 2026, without testimony due to a quorum issue under the Mullen rule. No formal votes were taken on marijuana zoning bylaws or Chapter 175 amendments, which were deferred for further discussion.

• Granted modification to One Depot Street special permit, removing conservation restriction requirement (4-0)
• Closed public hearing for One Depot Street at 7:02 p.m. (4-0)
• Continued Three Wheeler Road matter without testimony to July 13, 2026 (motion carried, one abstention)
• Deferred review of prior meeting minutes to a future meeting
• Agreed to compile a list of qualified consulting firms for peer review
• Kept Chapter 175 amendment review items on homework list for next meeting
• Continued discussion of marijuana zoning bylaws to a future meeting

Meeting

The Community Preservation Committee approved the minutes from the May meeting and discussed updates to the CPA webpage, a meeting with Groton's CPC chair, and plans for a public hearing in September. No funding decisions or project approvals were made.

• Approved meeting minutes for 05/21/2026 (3-0-1, Lance abstaining)
• Tabled monthly CPA budget update
• Discussed adding Groton CP Plan feedback and setting a timeline
• Planned public hearing for September 17, with advertising in late August

Meeting

The Townsend Cemetery & Parks board approved buying a new Grasshopper mower from Foskett Equipment, the lowest of three quotes, and authorized the superintendent to dispose of tree debris at his discretion. They also reviewed and approved minutes and bills, and discussed the upcoming 250th celebration and budget issues.

• Approved minutes from April 8 and April 15 meetings
• Approved purchase of Grasshopper mower from Foskett Equipment
• Approved superintendent's discretion to dispose of brush/tree debris

Joint Meeting with Select Board Revision 1

The Townsend Housing Authority held a joint meeting with the Select Board and made two appointments to state representative positions. Jack Moran and Hartley Pleshaw were appointed to the roles. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Appointed Bernadette Oinonen to Housing Authority State Representative position (3-0)
• Appointed Hartley Pleshaw to State Representative position for Housing (3-0)

Joint Meeting with Housing Authority

The Select Board approved the five-year TCAM agreement, summer operating hours for Memorial Hall (with union side letters pending), and Memoranda of Agreement with Highway/Water and Supervisors bargaining units. They also set terms for two new Select Board seats, approved several appointments, and supported a DCR land acquisition. The meeting included an executive session and a joint meeting with the Housing Authority to appoint a tenant representative and a state-appointed representative.

• Approved TCAM agreement (5-year) with signature stamp (2-0-1 abstain)
• Approved summer hours for Memorial Hall and Highway Dept, contingent on union side letters (3-0)
• Approved MOAs with Highway/Water and Supervisors bargaining units (3-0)
• Set new Select Board terms: 1.5-year and 2.5-year, expiring at Annual Town Election (3-0)
• Reappointed Natalie Call, Susan Gerken, Donna Lynn Pinkerton to Council on Aging; Kimberly King to Meeting Hall Gallery Committee (all 3-0)
• Appointed Bernadette Oinonen as Housing Authority tenant rep (6/16/26-6/30/28) (joint vote 3-0 each)
• Appointed Hartley Pleshaw as State-Appointed Rep to Housing Authority (term subject to amendment) (joint vote 3-0 each)
• Approved GPI scope expansion for Brookline Street project (3-0)

Revised

The Planning Board will consider a request from the applicant, LAND DESIGN COLLABORATIVE on behalf of Belvidere Capital LLC, to continue the public hearing for the Form C Definitive Plan and Stormwater Management Application for the “Seaver Road Extension” project from June 8, 2026 to July 13, 2026. The applicant also proposes extending the board’s decision deadline to July 27, 2026 under M.G.L. Chapter 41, §81-U.

• Continuance request for public hearing on Seaver Road Extension definitive plan
• Extension of Planning Board decision deadline to July 27, 2026
• Applicant: Belvidere Capital, LLC
• Project location: 0 Seaver Road, Townsend, MA

The Townsend Planning Board continued the public hearing for the 22 West Meadow Road solar installation site plan modification to July 13, 2026, after declining to approve the applicant's proposal to use synthetic ivy screening instead of required tree plantings. The Board also continued hearings for the Seaver Road Extension and 3 Wheeler Road, and approved a Certificate of Completion for the Harbor Trace Water Treatment Plant stormwater permit. No vote was taken on the synthetic ivy proposal, and the applicant was encouraged to return with a revised plan incorporating living vegetation.

• Continued 22 West Meadow Road solar site plan hearing to July 13, 2026 (4-0)
• Continued Seaver Road Extension definitive plan and stormwater permit hearing to July 13, 2026 (5-0)
• Continued 3 Wheeler Road stormwater permit hearing to June 22, 2026 (4-0)
• Approved Certificate of Completion for Stormwater Permit SM2023-02 (Harbor Trace Water Treatment Plant) (5-0)
• Approved minutes of May 4 and May 11, 2026 meetings (5-0)

Meeting

The Townsend Board of Water Commissioners is receiving the updated Rules, Regulations, and Rates for the Townsend Water Department. The document covers service connections, metering, billing, water use restrictions, and other operational policies. This is a review item, not a final vote.

• Service connection fee deferral options: 50% upfront with balance due in 1 year, or 12 equal payments over 3 years
• 1.5% monthly interest on overdue water bills, with shutoff after 30 days
• Seasonal outdoor water use restrictions: May 1–September 30, no outdoor watering 9 AM–5 PM
• New smart meter program requiring customers to download the 'eye on water' app
• Backflow prevention devices required at customer expense per state regulations

The Townsend Water Commissioners voted unanimously to reduce the leak usage charge to tier 1 and abate $6,417.54 for the property at 356 Main Street, with a payment plan to be determined. They also approved the April 13 and May 11 meeting minutes and reviewed abatements, reports, and warrants. The board tabled the Master Plan discussion and discussed potential changes to rules and regulations, including contractor forms and irrigation oversight.

• Approved meeting minutes of April 13 and May 11, 2026 (unanimous)
• Abated $6,417.54 and reduced leak usage to tier 1 for 356 Main Street, with payment plan (unanimous)
• Tabled Master Plan discussion to next meeting
• Approved abatements, end-of-month reports, and warrants out of session (unanimous)
• Scheduled next meeting for July 13, 2026 at 7 P.M.

Meeting

The Select Board interviewed two Town Administrator candidates — interim Kieran Meehan and Alexandra Lowder — and unanimously voted to offer the position to Meehan, subject to successful contract negotiations. The board cited his six-month track record, budget expertise, and staff relationships as key factors. Contract terms will be discussed in a future executive session.

• Offered Town Administrator position to Kieran Meehan, conditional on contract negotiations (3-0)
• Interviewed candidates Kieran Meehan and Alexandra Lowder for the Town Administrator role
• Scheduled next Select Board meeting for June 16, 2026
• Entered executive session to discuss nonunion personnel contract negotiations (3-0)

Meeting

The Select Board voted unanimously to hold a special election on October 6, 2026, to fill two new Select Board seats created by the board's expansion, subject to counsel's wording on seat terms. The board also made several appointments, including to the Conservation Commission and seasonal Recreation Department positions, and established two ad hoc committees for historic properties. A motion to take no action on the TCAM Agreement was approved, with the item to return on June 16.

• Scheduled special election for two new Select Board seats on Oct. 6, 2026 (3-0)
• Appointed Abigail Farley to Conservation Commission (6/2/26-6/30/26) (3-0)
• Appointed Brian Pinkerton to Conservation Commission (6/2/26-6/30/28) (3-0)
• Appointed 11 seasonal Recreation Department hires (3-0)
• Took no action on TCAM Agreement; to return June 16 (3-0)
• Established 5-member Ad Hoc Committee for West Townsend Reading Room (3-0)
• Established 5-member Ad Hoc Committee for Hart Library (3-0)
• Increased Committee on Disability from 5 to 7 members (3-0)

Meeting

The Planning Board reviewed an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Heidi Ash alleging a violation after the May 11, 2026 meeting. The board voted 3-1-1 to submit a draft response concluding no violation occurred, as the conduct involved only one member outside a quorum. The response will be sent to the complainant and the Attorney General's Office. The board also confirmed upcoming meeting dates and adjourned unanimously.

• Approved submitting draft response to Open Meeting Law complaint (3-1-1)
• Confirmed next meeting dates: June 8, June 22, July 13, July 27, 2026
• Adjourned meeting unanimously

Meeting

The committee appointed new officers and voted to apply for an NRWA 2026 Land Protection Grant. Members also agreed to send a draft Conservation Restriction to Town Counsel in July and pursue a quilt raffle for funding.

• Approved slate of officers: Salina Thomas (Chair), Valerie Goodrich (Vice Chair), Emily Fine (Clerk) (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to send CR to Town Counsel at the start of the next fiscal year in July (Unanimous)
• Approved application for NRWA 2026 Land Protection Grant for $20,599 (Unanimous)
• Approved motion for Veronica Kell to coordinate a quilt raffle with NCLT (Unanimous)
• Approved minutes from 5/14/2026 (3-0-1)

Meeting

The council approved minutes from April 28 and discussed plans for a 'Meet the Artist' event on August 13 at the Library/Senior Center Meeting Hall, featuring 12 artists. A survey will be distributed digitally and on paper, with Laura and Linda reviewing last year's version. The West Townsend Reading Room sale is moot after the town voted not to sell. Grant reimbursements are still pending from Pepperell Community Arts and Kym Craven.

• Approved minutes from 04/28/2026
• Scheduled 'Meet the Artist' for August 13, 4-7:30 PM at Library/Senior Center Meeting Hall
• Nancy and Laura to collect artists for the event
• Laura and Linda to review and update the survey
• Noted West Townsend Reading Room sale is moot after town vote
• Noted grant reimbursements still pending from Pepperell Community Arts and Kym Craven

Meeting

The Community Preservation Committee approved the minutes from April 30, 2026, and reviewed the amended budget article that passed at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5, 2026. The committee discussed updating its website email address and planning a public hearing after July 1. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved minutes of 4/30/2026 meeting (5-0-1, Greenough abstaining)
• Amended budget article passed at Annual Town Meeting on 5/5/2026

Meeting

The Townsend Council on Aging approved the minutes and voted to hire Donna Howard as transportation coordinator. Rob Foster was introduced as the new van driver. A new caregiver support group was announced. The FY2026 budget was approved at Town Meeting.

• Approved minutes of previous meeting (unanimous)
• Appointed Donna Howard as Transportation Coordinator (unanimous)
• Announced Rob Foster as new van driver starting May 15, 2026
• Noted FY2027 budget was approved at Town Meeting on May 5, 2026

Revised

The Select Board dissolved the Town Administrator Screening Committee and invited the two finalists, Alexandra Lowder and Kieran Meehan, for interviews on a date to be determined. The board deferred a formal vote on how to fill the two new Select Board seats created by the voter-approved expansion to five members, pending further legal guidance. Several contracts and appointments were approved, including a $328,000 Brookline Street project and a records digitization contract.

• Dissolved Town Administrator Screening Committee (3-0)
• Invited candidates Kieran Meehan and Alexandra Lowder for Select Board interviews (3-0)
• Appointed Veronica Kell to Affordable Housing Trust through 6/30/2028 (3-0)
• Appointed Jeffrey Moon as Recycling Attendant I (3-0)
• Approved $328,000 Brookline Street Complete Streets contract with Detour Construction, pending counsel review (3-0)
• Approved FY26 Municipal Pavement Management Plan for Brookline Street (3-0)
• Approved Inception's $152,515 records digitization quote, pending funding confirmation (3-0)
• Approved 250th birthday parade route for June 20, 2026 (3-0)