Middleton meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Middleton boards tackle Fuller Meadow bond, police chief appointment, and housing proposals

The Select Board will review a $2.2 million bond for the Fuller Meadow roof project and consider appointing an acting police chief, according to agendas for meetings held Aug. 10-18. No minutes have been published, so no decisions have been reported.

Select Board

The Select Board met on Aug. 10, 12, and 18. On Aug. 18, the board was scheduled to review and sign $2,200,000 in Bond Anticipation Notes for the Fuller Meadow Roof MSBA Project. The board also held public hearings on an alteration of premises at 119 S Main Street, Suite C (Crossroads Middleton) and a nuisance dog complaint at North Meadow Village Condominium Community. It was set to vote on accepting a Planet Fitness equipment in-kind donation and to review the 1997 Danvers/Middleton Intermunicipal Agreement for water.

On Aug. 10 and 12, the board considered appointing Captain Mathew Armitage as Acting Police Chief. Executive sessions were scheduled to discuss contract negotiations for the acting and permanent police chief positions, the potential purchase or lease of property at 65 North Main Street, and the release of executive session minutes from Jan. 1, 2023 to present.

Planning Board

The Planning Board met Aug. 12. It held a public hearing on an ANR plan at 14 School Street to create one new lot and continued a hearing to rescind approval of the 2018 Definitive Plan for Beech Brook Farm. The board also discussed subdivision updates, including requests to extend tripartite agreements for East Meadow Farm and Northeast River Estates. It was to provide recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeals on several permit requests, including a 40B multi-family housing project at 35 Village Road, an electronic message board and wall sign at 223 Maple Street, and a variance and site plan for a two-car garage and ADU at 77 Essex Street. The board also reviewed its rules and regulations and the zoning bylaw review project.

Other Boards

The Library Trustees met Aug. 18 for routine oversight, including budget, building, programs, and staffing updates. The Town Building Committee met Aug. 19 to review construction updates, proposed change orders, and pending requisition 26 for the Middleton Municipal Complex project. It also discussed the MELD generator, public safety building generator, and records vault humidity, and scheduled a ribbon cutting and open house for Sept. 19. The Board of Health held a public hearing on proposed revisions to Chapter 339 (Wastewater Disposal) on Aug. 19. The Town Clerk conducted ballot testing for the Sept. 1 state primary on Aug. 20. The Housing Authority met Aug. 20 to vote on FY2026 year-end certifications, discuss a truck accident and sale, and review capital projects for parking drainage and railing replacement.

Coming up

• **Aug. 26:** Council on Aging reviews September activities, introduces new Assistant Director; North Corridor Study Advisory Group reviews findings and schedules a public forum.
• **Aug. 27:** Housing Authority meets again to vote on FY2026 certifications and discuss truck sale and capital projects.
• **Sept. 2:** Patriotic Observances Committee elects officers and plans events.
• **Sept. 3:** Zoning Board of Appeals holds multiple public hearings: a special permit for a screened porch at 184 Essex St; a special permit and site plan for Ferncroft LLC at 35 Village Rd (related to the 40B project); a special permit for an electronic sign at 223 Maple St; a variance for a garage and ADU at 77 Essex St; and a special permit for an auto shop expansion at 177 North Main St. All hearings are at 7:00 PM at the Middleton Municipal Complex, 105 South Main Street.

Middleton boards take up budget, housing, and infrastructure items; decisions pending

Middleton's boards and committees met last week to consider a range of items, from school budget updates to housing proposals and infrastructure projects. As of this writing, minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions have been reported. The following is a summary of what was on the agendas.

School Committee

The School Committee met Aug. 3 to review financial reports for fiscal years 2026–2028, including end-of-year audit reports. Members were scheduled to consider motions to waive Policy BGB, update the Policy Book (JKAA), and approve disposal of I.T. and Special Ed Reading Program surplus items. The agenda also included an update on the Fuller Meadow roof project and a Fair Share Update regarding the "Millionaire's Tax."

Select Board

The Select Board met Aug. 4, Aug. 10, and Aug. 12. On Aug. 4, the board was set to review a settlement agreement for Natsue Way, receive an ambulance replacement update, appoint Robert Pellegrini to the Planning Board as an alternate, and hold executive sessions on the Police Chief contract and the property at 65 North Main Street. On Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, the board considered appointing Captain Mathew Armitage as Acting Police Chief, and held executive sessions on contracts for the acting and permanent police chief positions, the potential purchase or lease of 65 North Main Street, and the release of executive session minutes from Jan. 1, 2023 to present.

Board of Health

The Board of Health met Aug. 4 to review final plans for 221 South Main Street, with Chuck Johnson PE serving as third-party reviewer. The board also reviewed minutes from its June 24 meeting and received a report from the Health Director.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission met Aug. 5 to vote on a contract for the 2026 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update with Horsley Witten Group. The commission also heard requests for three-year permit extensions for the South Middleton Dam removal project at 211 Boston Street and an industrial building at 6 & 8 Rockaway Road, and a notice of intent to construct an inground pool at 5 Beech Brook Farm Road within a 100-foot wetland buffer.

South Essex Sewerage District

The South Essex Sewerage District board met Aug. 5 to review and approve several professional service agreements, including one with Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management for Phase C: Hourly Consultant Support for Technical Assistance, an Engineering Services Agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for Residuals Management Technical Support, and Amendment No. 3 to an agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for Contract No. E-2041: Wastewater Facilities Management Plan. The board also considered filling vacant positions for a Temporary Engineering Intern, Operator, and Mechanic, and held an executive session to discuss the value of real property off Farm Avenue in Peabody.

Planning Board

The Planning Board met Aug. 12 to hold a public hearing on an ANR plan at 14 School Street to create one new lot, and continued a hearing to rescind approval of the 2018 Definitive Plan for Beech Brook Farm. The board also discussed subdivision updates, including requests to extend tripartite agreements for East Meadow Farm and Northeast River Estates, and provided recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeals on several permit requests, including a 40B multi-family housing project at 35 Village Road, a special permit for an electronic message board and wall sign at 223 Maple Street, and a variance and site plan for a two-car garage and ADU at 77 Essex Street. The board also reviewed its rules and regulations and discussed the zoning bylaw review project.

Coming up

Upcoming meetings include:

• **Library Trustees** – Aug. 18: Review of July minutes, budget, building, programs, and staffing updates.
• **Select Board** – Aug. 18: Review and sign $2,200,000 Bond Anticipation Notes for the Fuller Meadow Roof MSBA Project; public hearing on NG Group, Inc. alteration of premises at 119 S Main Street, Suite C; nuisance dog complaint; vote to accept Planet Fitness equipment donation; review of 1997 Danvers/Middleton Intermunicipal Agreement for water.
• **Board of Health** – Aug. 19: Public hearing on proposed revisions to Chapter 339 (Wastewater Disposal); minute review; Health Director report.
• **Town Clerk** – Aug. 20: Ballot testing for the Sept. 1 state primary at 9:00 AM at Town Hall, 105 South Main Street.
• **Housing Authority** – Aug. 20: Vote on FY2026 year-end certifications; discussion of truck accident and sale; capital projects including parking drainage and railing replacement; review of June 2026 bills.

Middleton boards weigh budget updates, settlement, and permit extensions

Over the past two weeks, several Middleton boards met to review items ranging from school budgets and a property settlement to sewer contracts and conservation permits. All meetings were held on agenda-only basis, with minutes not yet published, so no final decisions have been reported.

Select Board

The Select Board met on August 4 to review a settlement agreement for Natsue Way and an update on ambulance replacement. The board also scheduled executive sessions to discuss the Police Chief contract and real property at 65 North Main Street. In addition, the agenda included the appointment of Robert Pellegrini to Planning Board Alternate.

School Committee

On August 3, the School Committee reviewed financial reports for FY26, FY27, and FY28, including end-of-year audit reports. Members considered motions to waive Policy BGB, update the Policy Book (JKAA), and approve disposal of I.T. and Special Ed Reading Program surplus items. The agenda also included a Fuller Meadow roof project update and a Fair Share Update regarding the "Millionaire’s Tax."

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission met on August 5 to vote on issuing a contract for the 2026 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update to Horsley Witten Group. The commission also heard requests for three-year permit extensions for the South Middleton Dam removal project at 211 Boston Street and for an industrial building at 6 & 8 Rockaway Road. A notice of intent to construct an inground pool at 5 Beech Brook Farm Road within the 100-foot wetland buffer was also on the agenda.

Board of Health

The Board of Health reviewed final plans for 221 South Main Street on August 4, with Chuck Johnson PE serving as third-party reviewer. The board also reviewed minutes from the June 24, 2026 meeting and received a report from the Health Director.

South Essex Sewerage District

The South Essex Sewerage Board met on August 5 to approve several professional service agreements, including a contract with Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management for Phase C technical assistance, an Engineering Services Agreement with CDM Smith, Inc. for Residuals Management Technical Support (amount not specified), and Amendment No. 3 to an agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for the Wastewater Facilities Management Plan. The board also considered filling vacant positions for a Temporary Engineering Intern, Operator, and Mechanic, and held an executive session to discuss the value of real property off Farm Avenue in Peabody.

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors met on July 28 to discuss an update on property revaluation. The board also reviewed and signed meeting minutes, payroll warrants, accounts payable, and motor vehicle abatement reports, and scheduled an executive session to discuss non-public records.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

Middleton Roundup: Assessor Appointed; Boards Eye Roof Funding, Building Change Orders

The Middleton Board of Assessors appointed Nick Helides to the assessor position on July 21, with a unanimous vote, for a term ending May 18, 2027. That was the only item with official minutes published in the past two weeks; other boards met on agendas only, with minutes not yet available.

Board of Assessors

The board's July 21 meeting produced the sole decided action of the reporting period: Nick Helides was appointed assessor through May 18, 2027, by unanimous vote. A July 28 assessors meeting was scheduled to discuss a property revaluation update and routine warrants, but minutes have not been published.

Select Board

The Select Board's July 21 agenda listed a Project Funding Agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the Fuller Meadow roof project, a Natsue Way settlement agreement update, an entertainment license for Ferncroft Country Club at 8-10 Village Road, a Brigadoon tree removal and sidewalk repair plan, and appointments to the Board of Health, Council on Aging, and Cultural Council. Minutes were not published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

The School Committee met remotely July 23 to consider authorizing its chair to sign the MSBA Project Funding Agreement. Minutes were not published.

Town Building Committee

The Building Committee's July 22 agenda included three proposed change orders for the public safety building project totaling $41,000: a $28,000 apparatus bay overhead door revision, an $8,000 GPI amendment for extended resident engineer and construction administration services, and a $5,000 extension of Context Architecture construction administration through July 2026. The committee was also scheduled to receive updates on the MELD generator and public safety building generator and discuss wayfinding signage scope. Minutes were not published.

Planning Board and Zoning Board

The Planning Board's July 21 agenda called for reappointing Robert Craig and appointing Robert Pellegrini as alternates through June 30, 2027. Minutes were not published.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 23 to elect officers and continue two public hearings: a comprehensive permit for multi-family housing at 35 Village Road and a site plan approval for a modified plan at 227 Maple and 0 Gregory Street. The board was also to receive notice of zoning updates under G.L. c. 40A. Minutes were not published.

North Corridor Study Advisory Group

The committee met July 22 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. to discuss the property at 156 North Main Street and review research areas including land use, zoning, ecological resources, economic impact, market analysis, and public spaces. Minutes were not published.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 3 — School Committee:** Fuller Meadow roof project update, FY26 close-out and FY27/FY28 budget updates, motions to waive Policy BGB and update Policy Book (JKAA), surplus disposal motions for I.T. and Special Ed Reading Program items, and a Fair Share update on the "Millionaire's Tax."
• **Aug. 4 — Board of Health:** Review of final plans for 221 South Main Street with third-party reviewer Chuck Johnson PE, plus June 24 minutes and a Health Director report.
• **Aug. 4 — Select Board:** Natsue Way settlement agreement, ambulance replacement update, appointment of Robert Pellegrini to Planning Board Alternate, and executive sessions on the Police Chief contract and 65 North Main Street property.
• **Aug. 5 — Conservation Commission:** Vote on an Open Space and Recreation Plan Update contract with Horsley Witten Group; three-year permit extension requests for the South Middleton Dam removal at 211 Boston Street and an industrial building at 6 and 8 Rockaway Road; and a notice of intent for an inground pool at 5 Beech Brook Farm Road within a 100-foot wetland buffer.
• **Aug. 5 — South Essex Sewerage District Board:** Professional services agreements with the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management and CDM Smith, Inc.; Amendment No. 3 to an AECOM engineering services agreement; filling of vacant temporary engineering intern, operator, and mechanic positions; and an executive session on real property off Farm Avenue in Peabody.