Shrewsbury, MA

Sustainability Committee

Select Board

Public Hearings and Meetings

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Advisory Board will hold a hybrid meeting on August 27, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at the WRTA Hub, 60 Foster Street, Worcester, MA. The agenda includes opening the meeting, calling roll, approving minutes from July 16, 2026, taking public comments, and hearing the Administrator's Report. The meeting is open to residents of 37 member cities and towns, including Shrewsbury, and can be attended via Zoom or phone.

• Approval of minutes from July 16, 2026 meeting
• Public comments accepted via email, phone, or Zoom raised hand
• Administrator's Report to be presented
• Hybrid meeting at WRTA Hub, 60 Foster Street, Worcester, MA
• Remote participation via Zoom webinar, passcode 085601

Public Hearings and Meetings

The West Suburban Health Group Steering Committee is meeting to review and vote on the FY27 Wellness Budget, meet with HUB Health and Performance Consulting, and discuss timing for Employee Navigator implementation. Other items include website maintenance, Medicare renewal, a financial audit update, and nomination of officers. The meeting is a conference call.

• Vote on FY27 Wellness Budget
• Meeting with HUB Health and Performance Consulting
• Employee Navigator implementation timing
• Medicare renewal update
• Financial audit update

Retirement Board

The Shrewsbury Retirement Board will meet to consider and act on the Dahab Associates 2nd Quarter Report and recommendations for a Small/Mid Cap RFP, along with routine administrative matters such as membership enrollments, refunds, retirements, and financial reports. The board will also receive an update on the 1/1/2026 Actuarial Study and review transfers to or from PRIT.

• Dahab Associates 2nd Quarter Report
• Dahab Small/Mid Cap RFP recommendations
• Update on 1/1/2026 Actuarial Study
• Transfers to or from PRIT
• Monthly bill schedules, payrolls, and other disbursements

Lake Quinsigamond Commission

The Lake Quinsigamond Commission is meeting to review and possibly approve the 2026 Head of the Quinsigamond Regatta event application, and to receive updates on contracts for weed mapping, herbicide treatment, and hydro-raking. They will also announce the result of the vote for the vacant At-Large Commissioner position and review routine items like meeting minutes and expenses.

• Event application for 2026 Head of the Quinsigamond Regatta on October 11, 2026, sponsor Casey Duva
• Contract update with TRC Companies for weed mapping study at Newton Pond
• Update on herbicide treatment of Sacred Lotus infestation
• Update on contract for hydro-raking roots of Sacred Lotus infestation
• Announcement of vote result for At-Large Commissioner position to replace Peter Collins

Shrewsbury High School Building Committee

The Shrewsbury High School Building Committee is meeting to review the designer selection process and hear a presentation from SMMA, the proposed design firm. The committee will vote on authorizing fee and contract negotiations with SMMA and allowing the Town Manager to enter into a contract. They will also approve prior meeting minutes, bill schedules, and discuss correspondence from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Massachusetts Climate Action Network regarding the high school project.

• Vote to authorize fee and contract negotiations with design firm SMMA
• Designer selection update and SMMA presentation from PMA Consultants
• Correspondence from Massachusetts Historical Commission re: Shrewsbury High School, 75 Cypress Ave
• Email from Massachusetts Climate Action Network on minimizing embodied carbon
• Approval of June 9, 2026 meeting minutes and bill schedules

Select Board

The Shrewsbury Select Board will hold a public hearing on a request to honor former town employee Dawn Shannon by naming a public space or building, and will review related correspondence. The board will also act on transferring a Host Community Agreement from Pharmacannis Massachusetts, Inc. to MiLou MA, LLC, discuss year-end FY2026 financial results, and consider the future use of 15 Maple Avenue. Other items include a welcoming community statement, a one-day alcohol license for St. Mary's Family Festival, and precinct officer appointments.

• Public hearing on naming a public space or building for Dawn Shannon
• Request for Assignment of Host Community Agreement from Pharmacannis Massachusetts, Inc. to MiLou MA, LLC
• Year-end financial results for Fiscal Year 2026
• Future use of 15 Maple Avenue
• One-Day Alcohol License for St. Mary's Family Festival, Sept 17-21, 2026

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on five zoning requests, including variances for swimming pool setbacks and a lot shape factor, and special permits for garage and repair shop uses. One commercial request at 894 Boston Tpke is being withdrawn without prejudice. The board will also review a memo regarding amendments to state zoning laws.

• Withdrawal without prejudice of special permit requests at 894 Boston Tpke by RJ Foley LLC
• Special permits for garage, repair shop, and auto salesroom at 22 Ridge Road (Robert Coates)
• Variance for swimming pool 4 feet from dwelling at 13 John Street (Mark Peris)
• Continued special permits for garage and repair shop at 957 Boston Tpke (McCarty Engineering, Inc.)
• Variances for pool setback, garage addition, and dwelling expansion at 47 Lear Street (Daniel Ford)

Select Board

The Shrewsbury Select Board is meeting remotely to review and act on a one-day alcohol license application. The license is requested by Rami Chamoun on behalf of St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church for their annual festival at 1 Industrial Drive. The festival runs from August 21 to August 23, 2026, with specific hours each day.

• One-day alcohol license for St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church
• Festival at 1 Industrial Drive, August 21-23, 2026
• Remote meeting via Google Meet, no in-person public attendance

Town Clerk

The Town Clerk is conducting a public test of voting equipment for the September 1, 2026 State Primary Election. The test will take place on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the Select Board's Meeting Room at the Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Ave, Shrewsbury, MA, and may continue on Friday, August 21 if needed.

• Public testing of voting equipment for the September 1, 2026 State Primary Election
• Test begins at 9:00 AM on August 20, 2026
• Location: Select Board's Meeting Room, Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Ave
• Continuation possible on August 21

School Committee

The Shrewsbury School Committee is holding a workshop to review roles, Open Meeting Law, and municipal collaboration, led by a field director from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. They will discuss priorities for the 2026-2027 school year, including the meeting calendar, policy updates, budget process, and strategic plan implementation. The agenda is primarily a planning and training session, with no votes or public hearings scheduled.

• Workshop on roles, Open Meeting Law, and ethics
• Discussion of 2026-2027 meeting calendar and potential topics
• Policy updates and budget process timeline
• Strategic plan implementation: priorities, metrics, and budget connection
• Approval of minutes

Lake Quinsigamond Commission

The Lake Quinsigamond Commission is holding a special virtual meeting on August 19, 2026. The sole substantive item is a review and possible action on a proposal from TRC Companies to perform a weed mapping study at Newton Pond in Shrewsbury. The agenda is otherwise limited to a call to order and adjournment.

• Review and possible action on TRC Companies proposal for a weed mapping study at Newton Pond, Shrewsbury

Conservation Commission

The Shrewsbury Conservation Commission will hold public meetings and hearings on multiple Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDAs) and Notices of Intent (NOIs) related to work in wetland buffer zones, including tree removals, construction, and site modifications. The agenda also includes signing orders, certificates of compliance, and discussing updates on enforcement orders.

• RDA for removal of 1 tree from Lake Quinsigamond (filed by Michael Liberty for Lake Quinsigamond Commission)
• RDA for removal of 5 trees at 92 School Street (filed by Mark Lambert)
• NOI for mixed-use development at 525 Hartford Turnpike (12,000 sq ft commercial, 2 residential buildings)
• NOI for 8 commercial/retail and 5 residential buildings at 331 & 335 Maple Avenue
• NOI for car dealership at 957 Boston Turnpike (PGM Realty Holdings LLC)

Regional Opioid Task Force

The Regional Opioid Task Force, serving West Boylston and Shrewsbury, is meeting to vote on meeting notes, a revised position description for a Community Advisory Member, and a revised Notification of Funding Opportunity for an opioid grant program. They will also elect a Chair and Vice Chair, discuss branding and online posting, and confirm the meeting schedule.

• Vote on revised position description for Community Advisory Member
• Vote on revised Notification of Funding Opportunity for opioid grant program
• Elect Task Force Chair and Vice Chair
• Discuss Task Force branding, logo, and online posting location

Form of Government Study Committee

The Form of Government Study Committee is meeting to review minutes, discuss the town's form of government with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar, and plan next steps including closing the community outreach survey and scheduling meetings with comparable towns, department heads, and elected officials. No decisions are on the agenda beyond approving minutes and selecting a survey closure date.

• Discussion with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar
• Select and approve date to close Community Outreach Survey
• Discuss meeting with representatives from similar-sized towns
• Discuss meetings with department heads
• Discuss meetings with Shrewsbury Elected Officials

Shrewsbury Development Corporation

The Shrewsbury Development Corporation is meeting remotely to review minutes, receive staff reports, and discuss project updates, including the Master Plan Update. The main action item is a vote to appoint a representative to the Master Plan Steering Committee. The agenda is otherwise routine, with no major decisions or public hearings.

• Vote to appoint a representative to the Master Plan Steering Committee
• Review and approve minutes from May 11, 2026 and June 29, 2026
• Staff report and project/program updates, including Master Plan Update

Form of Government Study Committee

The Form of Government Study Committee is meeting to review minutes, discuss the town's government structure with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar, and plan next steps including closing a community survey and scheduling meetings with officials and department heads. The agenda is largely procedural and planning-focused, with no votes on policy changes expected.

• Discussion with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar
• Select and approve date to close Community Outreach Survey
• Discuss meeting with representatives from similar-sized towns
• Discuss meetings with department heads
• Discuss meetings with Shrewsbury Elected Officials

Public Hearings and Meetings

The Westborough Treatment Plant Board will hold its regular monthly meeting to review and approve invoices, including outstanding invoices totaling $59,988.99, and hear reports from the administrator and plant manager. The agenda includes updates on the Headworks and Rotor Replacement projects, FY26 closeout, and other operational items.

• Outstanding invoices totaling $59,988.99
• National Grid (July) invoice of $46,889.82
• Kearsarge (July) invoice of $13,099.17
• Tighe & Bond invoices of $3,141.63 and $5,420.00
• Discussion of Headworks Project and Rotor Replacement Project

Trails Committee

The Shrewsbury Trails Committee is meeting to handle routine business, including accepting June minutes and holding committee elections. They will also discuss trail maintenance, marketing activities, and several new trail projects, including the Eaton Pond bridge construction and a Trails 5K run.

• Committee elections
• Eaton Pond large bridge construction update
• Trails 5K run at Lake Street Park
• Arts in Prospect Park on 9/13
• Regional Walk Audit on 8/28

300th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Shrewsbury 300th Anniversary Celebration Committee will meet to review and approve the July 8, 2026 minutes, discuss budget and fundraising, and act on merchandise, programming, and outreach. The agenda includes major events like a kickoff, parade, gala, and fireworks, as well as community events such as house tours. The committee will also review the schedule and confirm the next meeting date of September 9, 2026.

• Discuss budget and fundraising, act as necessary
• Review budget spreadsheet
• Act on commemorative coins and other merchandise
• Discuss programming for major events (kickoff, parade, gala, fireworks) and community events (house tours)
• Discuss outreach including banners and Shrewsbury Media Connection

Board of Health

The Shrewsbury Board of Health will hold its regular meeting on August 12, 2026, to review and vote on an appeal by property owners Judith F. Karlin and Karen Reynolds regarding an on-site disposal system upgrade at 12 Ridge Road. The board will also elect a chair, appoint health agents for FY27, designate a PHEP representative, and discuss various public health updates.

• Appeal for 12 Ridge Road on-site disposal system upgrade
• Election of Board of Health Chair and introduction of new member
• Reappointment of health agents for FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)
• Designation of PHEP Representative and Alternate for FY27
• Approval of town website as central posting for CMRHD Opioid Task Force agendas

300th Anniversary Celebration Committee

The Shrewsbury 300th Anniversary Celebration Committee is meeting to review and potentially approve the July 8, 2026 meeting minutes, discuss the budget and fundraising, review a budget spreadsheet, consider merchandise, and discuss expense projections. The committee will also discuss programming for major events (kickoff, parade, gala, fireworks) and community events, as well as outreach efforts. The meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2026 at the Shrewsbury Police Department, and the next meeting is planned for September 9, 2026.

• Review and act to approve meeting minutes of July 8, 2026
• Discuss budget and fundraising, act as necessary
• Budget spreadsheet
• Merchandise, act as necessary
• Discuss programming for major events (kickoff, parade, gala, fireworks) and community events

Council on Aging Board

The Council on Aging Board will meet to review financial reports and receive updates on senior center operations. The meeting includes discussions on outreach, nutrition, and transportation programs.

• Review and action on financial reports
• MCOA Outreach Grant of $7,000
• Formula Grant of $25,000 for Expanded Transportation
• Special Trip Reservation Policy update
• PlayOn 60+ MOU

Select Board

The Shrewsbury Select Board will hold a public hearing on Eversource's request to install a natural gas transmission main on Lake Street, and consider adopting the 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan. They will also discuss emerging land use issues such as drones, data centers, and battery storage, and vote on amending an agreement with Prologis for intersection improvements at Centech Boulevard and Route 20. Other actions include road closure and address change requests, plus several correspondence items.

• Public hearing on Eversource natural gas transmission main on Lake Street
• Adoption of 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Discussion of drones, data centers, and battery storage facilities
• Amendment to Prologis agreement for Centech Boulevard/Route 20 intersection improvements
• Road closure for Rams Gate Place on Sept 12, 2026 for neighborhood party

The Shrewsbury Select Board unanimously approved several items, including a natural gas transmission main for Eversource on Lake Street, the 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan, an amendment to the Prologis agreement for road improvements, a road closure for a neighborhood party, an address change for 1-7 Maple Avenue, and placing EMTs into Group 4 of the retirement system. The board also discussed emerging land use issues like drones, data centers, and battery storage, but took no action on those topics.

• Approved Eversource natural gas transmission main on Lake Street (unanimous)
• Adopted 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan (unanimous)
• Approved $76,000 amendment to Prologis agreement for Route 20/Centech Blvd intersection (unanimous)
• Approved road closure for Rams Gate Place on Sept 12, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved address change for 1-7 Maple Avenue (unanimous)
• Adopted M.G.L. c. 32, § 3(2)(g) placing EMTs into Group 4 retirement (unanimous)
• Approved bills, payrolls, and warrants #2710 and #2712 (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of July 28 and August 4 meetings (unanimous)

Commission on Disabilities

The Shrewsbury Commission on Disabilities will vote on Access Award recipients and discuss changing the policy on how many times a business can receive the award. They will also review Dementia Friendly Shrewsbury, plan for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and discuss accessibility improvements at Gauch Park and Lake Park.

• Vote on Access Award recipients
• Discussion on limiting repeat Access Award recipients
• Review of Dementia Friendly Shrewsbury
• Use of funds for accessible parking at Gauch Park and Lake Park
• Spirit of Shrewsbury event on September 26-27

Parks & Cemetery Commission

The Shrewsbury Parks & Cemetery Commission will discuss and possibly vote on several items, including a request for an exception to the cemetery lot purchase policy, new cemetery rules and pricing, and multiple event proposals involving food trucks at Maple Ave Fields, Lake Street Park, and Dean Park. They will also consider a proposal for temporary bleachers purchased by Shrewsbury Little League at Dean Park and elect a commission member to the Community Preservation Committee.

• Discussion and possible vote on a request for exception to Cemetery Lot Purchase Policy (Pre-Need Purchase)
• Review and act on the 300th Committee after party on October 17, 2027 at Maple Ave Fields with food trucks
• Review and act on a proposal for temporary bleachers purchased by Shrewsbury Little League at Dean Park Baseball Fields
• Review and act on Trails Committee 5K run at Lake Street Park on October 3, 2026 with food trucks
• Review and possibly act on draft of new Cemetery rules and pricing

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee is meeting to approve minutes, discuss items for a September workshop, and review ongoing initiatives including the book club, Juneteenth event, Pride at the Park, and a Welcoming Communities Statement. The agenda is largely procedural and routine.

• Review discussion items for September 14, 2026 workshop
• Chapters in Common book club update
• Juneteenth Event update
• Pride at the Park update
• Welcoming Communities Statement update

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

The Shrewsbury Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee is meeting to approve minutes, discuss new business for a September workshop, and review old business items including the Chapters in Common book club, Juneteenth Event, Pride at the Park, Welcoming Communities Statement, and the annual report to the Select Board. The agenda is largely procedural and routine.

• Review discussion items for September 14, 2026 workshop
• Chapters in Common book club
• Juneteenth Event
• Pride at the Park
• Welcoming Communities Statement

Planning Board

The Shrewsbury Planning Board will hold continued public hearings on a proposed mixed-use development at 525 Hartford Turnpike and a car dealership at 957 Boston Turnpike & 269 Walnut Street, with decision deadlines 90 days from hearing close. The board will also review new proposals for an addition at 26 Maple Avenue and a site redesign at 9 Tatum Road, and vote on updating fee-in-lieu figures and bond issuance for 193 Hartford Turnpike.

• Continued hearing: mixed-use development, 525 Hartford Turnpike (Virginia K Luke Irrevocable Trust)
• Continued hearing: car dealership, 957 Boston Turnpike & 269 Walnut Street (WJC Enterprises Inc.)
• New meeting: addition at 26 Maple Avenue (Maribeth Lynch)
• New meeting: site redesign at 9 Tatum Road (294-298 Boston Turnpike LLC)
• Vote on updating fee-in-lieu figures and bond issuance for 193 Hartford Turnpike

Shrewsbury Housing Authority

The Shrewsbury Housing Authority board will meet to review financial reports and program updates. The body will discuss maintenance and accounting registers for July and August 2026. Updates will be provided on state and federal housing programs.

• Review of Treasurer and Financial reports
• Maintenance updates for July and August
• HAP Accounting and Portability Out check registers for July and August 2026
• Updates on Francis Gardens, Elizabeth Street, and Family Units state programs
• Updates on Shrewsbury Tower and Section 8 federal programs

Parks & Cemetery Commission

The Shrewsbury Parks & Cemetery Commission will review and act on multiple proposals at this meeting, including temporary bleachers at Dean Park, food truck additions at several events, draft cemetery rules and pricing, and the sale of lot cards. The commission will also discuss re-electing a member to the Community Preservation Committee and receive updates from staff reports.

• Temporary bleachers purchased by Shrewsbury Little League at Dean Park Baseball Fields
• Addition of 3 food trucks at Movie in the Park event at Dean Park on August 28, 2026
• Draft of new Cemetery rules and pricing
• Sale of lot cards
• Re-elect commission member to Community Preservation Committee for FY 27