Wenham, MA

Open Space & Recreation Committee

Conservation Commission

The Wenham Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing to review a Notice of Intent for construction at 36 Monument Street. The proposal includes a screened porch, at-grade deck, in-ground pool, concrete walkway, and chain link fencing within the commission's jurisdiction. Administrative business will also cover the approval of minutes from previous meetings.

• Public hearing on Notice of Intent for 36 Monument Street (Assessor’s Map 18 Lot 54)
• Proposed construction: screened porch, at-grade deck, in-ground pool, concrete walkway, and chain link fencing
• Applicant: Andrew Noble, represented by The Waterfield Design Group, Inc.

Veterans Committee

The Wenham Veterans Committee is meeting to discuss routine business including minutes, treasurer's report, and updates on local veterans' memorials and events. Items include the Purple Heart signs, Cheeseman Memorial, Civil War Monument, and planning for the Veterans Day Ceremony and Wreaths Across America.

• Update on Purple Heart signs and placement
• Cheeseman Memorial status
• Civil War Monument status
• Veterans Day Ceremony planning
• Wreaths Across America

Hamilton Wenham Cultural Council

The Hamilton Wenham Cultural Council is meeting to continue planning a Celebration of Arts event scheduled for April 2027. The agenda includes discussing potential venues, dates, format, and guest presenters. No final decisions are expected at this meeting; it is primarily a brainstorming and planning session.

• Discussing Wenham Museum as a possible venue
• Considering April 1 or April 8, 2027 as event dates
• Deciding on event format (daytime or evening)
• Identifying potential presenters and special guests

Board of Health

The Wenham Board of Health is meeting virtually to discuss public health updates, permitting, and a nurse practitioner aesthetic practice in town. The agenda includes public input, reports from the Public Health Nurse and Health Inspector, and approval of minutes. No major votes or financial decisions are listed.

• Discussion of nurse practitioner aesthetic practice in Wenham
• Public Health Nurse updates
• Health Inspector updates
• Permitting updates
• Approval of outstanding minutes

Select Board

This agenda for the Wenham Select Board meeting on August 25, 2026, contains only a single procedural item listing the agenda document itself. No decisions, discussions, or public hearings are scheduled for this meeting.

• Agenda approval only

Board of Health

The Wenham Board of Health is meeting virtually to receive updates from the Public Health Nurse and Health Inspector, review permitting updates, and discuss a nurse practitioner aesthetic practice in Wenham. The agenda also includes public input, approval of outstanding minutes, and other routine items.

• Discussion of nurse practitioner aesthetic practice in Wenham
• Public Health Nurse updates
• Health Inspector updates
• Permitting updates
• Approval of outstanding minutes

Climate Action & Sustainability Committee

The Wenham Climate Action and Sustainability Committee is meeting to discuss town hall electricity use with Vicki Massone, receive updates on the Iron Rail project from recent Select Board and Planning Board meetings, and consider updates to the town website regarding trash, recycling, and compost. The agenda also includes routine items like approving minutes and future agenda planning.

• Q&A with Vicki Massone on Town Hall electricity use
• Iron Rail updates from Select Board and Planning Board meetings
• Town website updates on trash, recycling, and compost

Cemetery Commission

Wenham Affordable Housing Trust

The Wenham Affordable Housing Trust is meeting to receive a finance update, kick off a Housing Action Plan project with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), and discuss a possible Community Preservation Act (CPC) application. The meeting also includes approval of prior minutes and other routine business.

• Finance update from Ernie Jackson, Finance Director
• Kick off meeting with MAPC for Housing Action Plan project
• Discuss possible CPC Application
• Meeting minutes from 6/2/26

Community Preservation Committee

The Wenham Community Preservation Committee will meet remotely via Zoom to discuss a proposed CPA sign policy drafted by the Select Board, vote on annual dues of $2,875 for the Community Preservation Coalition, and approve meeting minutes. They will also discuss the status of a 2025 Habitat grant for the Spring Road project and consider changing the 24-month period to start projects.

• Vote on Community Preservation Coalition annual dues of $2,875
• Discuss proposed CPA sign policy drafted by the Select Board
• Discuss status of 2025 Habitat grant for Spring Road project
• Discuss changing the 24-month time period to start projects
• Vote to approve meeting minutes for July 8, 2026

Planning Board

The Wenham Planning Board will hold a continued public hearing on a site plan and special permit request from Solect Energy to build a large-scale ground-mounted solar installation at 91 Grapevine Road (Iron Rail Property), on behalf of the Town of Wenham. The board will also discuss updates on subdivision regulations, the Penguin Hall property, and potential zoning changes related to new state regulations. Meeting minutes from June 10 and July 8 will be reviewed.

• Continued public hearing for solar installation at 91 Grapevine Road (Map 31 Lot 1/1A)
• Petition by Solect Energy, 89 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA
• Update on Subdivision Regulation project
• Update on Penguin Hall property
• Discussion on new MGL Ch 40A regulations and potential zoning changes

Historic District Commission

The Wenham Historic District Commission will hold a public meeting to discuss a rewrite/revamp of the Historic District Guidelines with Jennifer Doherty of Barrett Planning Group, LLC. The agenda also includes public comment on the guidelines, reorganization of officer seats, a demo delay update, and approval of past meeting minutes.

• Public meeting on Historic District Guidelines rewrite with Barrett Planning Group
• Public comment on Historic District Guidelines
• Reorganization of officer seats: Chair, Vice-Chair, Clerk, Financial Officer
• Demo Delay Update
• Review and approve minutes from multiple past meetings (Aug 2025–Jul 2026)

Select Board

This is a procedural agenda with no substantive items listed. The Select Board will review the agenda and packet documents for the meeting.

Water Commission

The Wenham Water Commission is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes and reviewing the monthly pumping record. They will also discuss Ipswich River levels, the current drought level, a MassDEP Ipswich Basin grant report from Dewberry, and PFAS treatment. The meeting includes a discussion item on hiring an Administrative Assistant and a letter to the H/W newspaper.

• Review and approve meeting minutes
• Monthly pumping record and Ipswich River levels
• Drought level update
• MassDEP Ipswich Basin grant – Dewberry report
• PFAS Treatment

Iron Rail Commission

The Iron Rail Commission is meeting in person at Wenham Town Hall, with remote participation options. The main agenda item is attending the Select Board meeting to hear the findings of the Iron Rail Working Group. No other substantive decisions or discussions are listed.

• Attend Select Board meeting on Iron Rail Working Group findings
• Meeting held in person at Wenham Town Hall, 138 Main Street, with Zoom option

Veterans Committee

The Wenham Veterans Committee is meeting to review routine business including minutes, treasurer's report, and updates from the Veterans Services Officer. They will also discuss the status of several memorials, including the Purple Heart signs, Cheeseman Memorial, and Civil War Monument, as well as the Wreaths Across America program. The meeting is open to the public.

• Discussion of Purple Heart signs and placement
• Status update on Cheeseman Memorial
• Status update on Civil War Monument
• Discussion of Wreaths Across America
• Treasurer's report by James Cummings

Wenham Housing Authority

The Wenham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will vote on an administrative fee of $9,964.50 for the Executive Director for extra hours on the FISH driveway drainage project, and discuss a proposed public input policy. The board will also address the Executive Director's letter of intent to retire effective September 30, 2026, and outline steps to fill the position. Routine items include approving minutes, financials, and disbursements.

• Vote on $9,964.50 administrative fee for Executive Director (210 hours at $47.45/hr) for FISH 327064 Driveway Drainage Project
• Discussion of proposed Public Input Policy
• Executive Director retirement effective September 30, 2026; steps to recruit replacement
• New Maintenance Mechanic Tom Dobbins starting September 1, 2026
• Rain garden re-do to start first week of September; paving contractor issue unresolved

Open Space & Recreation Committee

The Open Space and Recreation Committee is meeting virtually to discuss and plan a community event for the Pingree Park tennis court area. The committee will also review minutes from its July 7, 2026 meeting and address any other unanticipated matters for discussion only.

• Discussion and planning for community event at Pingree Park tennis court area
• Approval of minutes from 7/7/26 meeting

Conservation Commission

The Wenham Conservation Commission will hold a continued public hearing on two permit requests: one to eradicate invasive Japanese Knotweed at 28 Batchelder Park, and another to build a single-family home at 7 Nicole Avenue. The commission will also review minutes from its July 27 meeting and address any other unanticipated matters.

• Continued hearing on Request for Determination of Applicability by Adam Ross for invasive knotweed removal at 28 Batchelder Park (Map 7 Lot 76)
• Continued hearing on Notice of Intent by Thomas Carnevale for single-family residence with deck, driveway, utilities, and landscaping at 7 Nicole Avenue (Map 44 Lot 22)
• Review of minutes from July 27, 2026 meeting

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will meet to reorganize the board and approve prior meeting minutes. The body will discuss and vote on the fiscal year 2027 quarter one real estate tax request for a subdivided parcel. The board will also review the July 2026 motor vehicle excise abatement report.

• Tax request apportionment for subdivided parcel at 7-9 Maple Street (Map 24, Lot 9)
• July 2026 motor vehicle excise abatement report and denials
• Reorganization of the Board

Conservation Commission

The Wenham Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on three property proposals: invasive knotweed removal at 28 Batchelder Park, septic system replacement at 35 Arbor Street, and construction of a single-family home at 6 Nicole Avenue. The commission will also review the Planning Board's proposed Subdivision Rules and Regulations and vote on minutes from prior meetings.

• 28 Batchelder Park – Request for Determination for Japanese knotweed eradication
• 35 Arbor Street – Request for Determination to replace failed septic system
• 6 Nicole Ave – Notice of Intent to build single-family home with deck, driveway, utilities
• Review and comment on Planning Board's proposed Subdivision Rules and Regulations
• Consent agenda and approval of minutes from six prior meetings

The Wenham Conservation Commission voted unanimously to continue public hearings for 28 Batchelder Park (Japanese knotweed eradication) and 6 Nicole Ave (new home construction) to August 10, 2026. It also voted unanimously to issue a negative determination for 35 Arbor Street, allowing a leach field extension for an ADU. The commission approved the consent agenda of prior meeting minutes.

• Continued 28 Batchelder Park hearing to Aug 10, 2026 (unanimous)
• Issued negative determination for 35 Arbor Street leach field extension (unanimous)
• Continued 6 Nicole Ave hearing to Aug 10, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda of six prior meeting minutes (unanimous, D. Miller abstaining)

Finance Committee Appointing Committee

The Finance Committee Appointing Committee will interview candidate Alex Varelis for a FinCom seat and may vote on the appointment. The committee will also select its own officers for FY2027 and evaluate current membership needs. Public comment is limited to 10 minutes total.

• Interview of FinCom appointment candidate Alex Varelis (37 William Fairfield Drive)
• Selection and vote on committee roles for FY2027
• Review and possible vote to approve minutes of June 10, 2026 meeting
• Evaluation of current FinCom membership and future appointment needs

Select Board

This agenda contains only references to documents and a single numbered item with no substantive description. The meeting appears to be entirely procedural boilerplate.

Finance and Advisory Committee

The Finance & Advisory Committee will meet jointly with the Select Board to discuss proposed FY27 finance-related goals and initiatives. The discussion will focus on prioritizing these goals based on urgency, feasibility, and staffing capacity.

• Joint meeting with the Select Board for FY27 finance-related goals and initiatives
• Prioritization of proposed goals by urgency, feasibility, and staffing capacity

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission will meet jointly with the Select Board to discuss a proposed Demolition Delay and an update on the Historic District Guidelines Revamp/Rewrite Project. No other substantive items are on the agenda.

• Joint meeting with Select Board to discuss proposed Demo Delay
• Update on Historic District Guidelines Revamp/Rewrite Project

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing and potentially vote on a Certificate of Appropriateness for renovations and an addition to the historic Gott-Porter House at 153 Main Street. The project includes removing two existing additions and constructing a new addition with a kitchen, mudroom, guest bedroom, and owner's suite. The existing cobbler's shed will remain.

• Petition by Katherine Sacharuk for renovations to the Gott-Porter House, a historic home built in 1697
• Removal of a single-story addition at the northeast corner and a rear single-story addition
• Proposed new addition includes cedar clapboard siding, wood trim, and an asphalt shingle roof with copper details
• Public hearing and potential vote on a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project

Historic District Commission

The Wenham Historic District Commission will receive an update on the Historic District Guidelines rewrite/revamp project from consultant Jennifer Doherty of Barrett Planning Group, LLC. The board will also discuss a demo delay update and how to recruit for a vacant commission seat.

Climate Action & Sustainability Committee

The Wenham Climate Action and Sustainability Committee will meet to elect a chair and clerk, and receive updates on the town's Climate Leader Designation and recycling restrictions. The committee will also discuss initiatives for the upcoming year.

• Election of WCASC Chair and Clerk roles
• Climate Leader Designation - status update
• Recycling Restrictions - status update
• Initiatives for the new year

Select Board

This Select Board meeting was canceled.

Finance and Advisory Committee

The Finance and Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for July 15, 2026, was canceled. The agenda included only procedural items such as public comment and year-end transfers.

Veterans Committee

The Wenham Veterans Committee will meet to review the May 2026 minutes, hear the treasurer's and Veterans Service Officer's reports, and discuss several upcoming events. Key items include a Purple Heart Proclamation and flag raising on July 31, 2026, and the Moving Wall display at Beverly High School with an opening ceremony on July 30, 2026. The committee will also review the status of the Civil War Monument and consider challenge coins and apparel for members.

• Purple Heart Proclamation and Flag Raising at town hall flagpole on July 31, 2026 at 0930
• Moving Wall at Beverly High School, opening ceremony July 30, 2026 at 1700
• Civil War Monument status update
• Challenge coins for special guests/participants
• Hats and shirts for VETCOM members

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold a continued public hearing on Gordon College's proposal to build a Music Center at 255 Grapevine Road, including walkways, stormwater structures, and a generator. The hearing, opened April 27, has been continued multiple times. The commission will also review the Planning Board's proposed Subdivision Rules and Regulations.

• Continued public hearing for Gordon College Music Center at 255 Grapevine Road (Map 43 Lot 1)
• Proposed work includes walkway and maintenance path reconfiguration, stormwater management, landscaping, and an electrical transformer and generator
• Review and comment on Planning Board's proposed Subdivision Rules and Regulations

The Commission approved a Notice of Intent for a 28,000 square foot music center at 255 Grapevine Road. The approval includes conditions regarding groundwater levels and stormwater system plans before a full building permit is released.

• Approved Notice of Intent for Music Center at 255 Grapevine Road (5-0-1)
• Conditioned 255 Grapevine Road approval on groundwater level determination and potential stormwater plan revisions

Climate Action & Sustainability Committee

The Wenham Climate Action and Sustainability Committee will hold a meeting to elect a chair and clerk, receive updates on the town's Climate Leader Designation and recycling restrictions, and discuss initiatives for the coming year. The agenda is largely procedural and status-oriented, with no votes on specific ordinances or contracts.