Sterling meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Sterling boards set agendas on PFAS, radiation, and fair planning; no decisions yet published

Over the past two weeks, Sterling town boards and committees met to set agendas on issues ranging from PFAS response and radiation detection in trash to a dangerous dog hearing and housing authority contracts. All recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no official decisions are available at this time.

Public health and environment

The Board of Public Works met to discuss recent radiation detections in household trash reported by Casella Waste, an update from Stantec on the town's PFAS response, and the Greenland Road culvert project. The board also reviewed the Oak Hill Cemetery walls and project updates including a new DPW facility, storm water, and the Route 140/62 intersection.

The Conservation Commission held two public hearings: one on a request by Kelley Freda to remove about 125 at-risk trees near Route 110/Metropolitan Road, and another on a Notice of Intent by Deborah Ann Blodget to demolish and rebuild a home at 196 Newell Hill Road. The commission also discussed enforcement cases at 95 Chace Hill Road, 430 Metropolitan Road, and 16 North Cove Road, and continued its stormwater regulation discussion.

Public safety and property

The Select Board held a public hearing on an appeal of a dangerous dog designation for a dog named Ryder, owned by Joseph and Kathy MacAulay of 6 Evergreen Circle, following a May 2, 2026 attack. The board also considered a stipend for the Recreation Director, appointments to the Conservation Commission, Recreation Committee, and Planning Board, and agreements for the Sterling Fair.

The Board of Health met twice: once to review three ZBA variance requests (14 Woodside Drive, 3 Beaman Road, and 9 Bean Road), a MPHN contract, and signs for Town Beach and ball fields; and once to interview candidates for the Health Agent position.

Housing and facilities

The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners considered three resolutions: updating the Language Access Plan, approving a proprietary specification for a window replacement project, and accepting a low bidder for solid waste and recycling collection services. The board also discussed creating a separate budget for a records system and purchasing a locking file cabinet and printer.

The DPW Facility Committee discussed a tour of 44 Chocksett Road and received a superintendent update.

Library, aging, and open space

The Conant Public Library Trustees reviewed the Sustainable Libraries Initiative Certification and began the Library Director's evaluation process. The Council on Aging discussed a garage remodel, a shade structure for the patio, and an update on the car show. The Open Space Implementation Committee reviewed the Waushacum Trail brochure, the Waushacum Park dedication ceremony, a Native Americans at Waushacum sign, and the Open Space and Recreation Plan update.

Fair Committee

The Sterling Fair Committee held multiple meetings, mostly procedural, covering Exhibit Hall judging, set-up, and registration logistics. Two meetings had no substantive items listed.

Coming up

• **Economic Development Committee** (Aug. 24): Town Center parking, Celebrate Sterling update, and an instructor fee for the Arts Collaborative.
• **Board of Health** (Aug. 24): Executive session to discuss salary with a Health Agent candidate.
• **Animal Control Advisory Board** (Aug. 25): Review of the dangerous dog hearing and a Boston dog lawyer proposal.
• **Sterling Municipal Light Board** (Aug. 26): Cost of service rate study, fiber update, and Q2 financials.
• **Town Clerk** (Aug. 26): Test of optical scan voting equipment for the Sept. 1 State Primary, at Butterick Municipal Building, Room 113.
• **Planning Board** (Aug. 27): As-built plan review for Kearsarge Energy at 100 Jewett Road and discussion of future zoning amendments.

Sterling boards weigh parking, housing, and fair logistics; no votes yet

Sterling town boards met over the past two weeks to discuss parking, housing administration, and fair logistics, but none of the meetings have published minutes, so no formal decisions are confirmed. The most substantive item on any agenda was a proposed update to the Housing Authority's Language Access Plan, along with a possible separate budget for a records system and office equipment.

Housing Authority considers language access update, records budget

The Sterling Housing Authority Board of Commissioners met July 28. The agenda included election of officers, approval of minutes from May 20, 2026, and approval of May and June 2026 financials. The board also considered Resolution 2026-11, which would update the Language Access Plan, and discussed creating a separate budget for a records system, a locking file cabinet, and a printer. None of these items have been voted on as of this writing; the minutes have not been published.

Economic Development Committee discusses Town Center parking

The Economic Development Committee met July 27. The agenda included a discussion of Town Center Parking at 9:00 AM and an update on Celebrate Sterling at 9:10 AM. The committee also reviewed past meeting minutes, handled appointments, and held a public session. The next meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2026. No decisions were reported.

Fair Committee meets on Exhibit Hall logistics

The Fair Committee met July 27 to coordinate Exhibit Hall setup, entries, judging, ribbon needs, and take-down logistics. A second meeting was scheduled for August 3, but the agenda for that session was blank or incomplete, with no specific items listed. Minutes for either meeting have not been published.

Cultural Council sets grant cycle guidelines

The Cultural Council met August 3 to determine guidelines and priorities for the upcoming grant cycle. The session was described as procedural, with no formal decisions or votes. No further details were provided.

Upcoming meetings

• **Conant Public Library Trustees** – August 10, 2026. The board will review reports, discuss the Sustainable Libraries Initiative Certification, and begin the Library Director's evaluation process. It will also review minutes from June 8, 2026.
• **Fair Committee** – August 12, 2026. The agenda contains only procedural headings, with no listed discussion or decision items. The meeting may be cancelled or purely administrative.
• **Fair Committee** – August 19, 2026. The agenda includes only boilerplate, including an executive session with no specified subject. No actionable items are listed.
• **Fair Committee** – August 24, 2026. The agenda is a blank template with no specific items.

Residents interested in any of these topics should check the town's official meeting portal for updated agendas and minutes.

Sterling boards lined up land sale, appointments, permits and hearings in late July

Sterling's boards and committees held a heavy slate of meetings the week of July 20, 2026, with agendas covering a partial Sterling Airport land sale, a Capital Budget Committee appointment, a driveway permit on Griffin Road, and public hearings on shoreline and vegetation work. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, the items below reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action, not confirmed outcomes.

Assessor's Office — Sterling Airport land sale on the table

The Assessor's Office agenda for July 20 listed routine business — roll call, agenda approval, signing payables, abatements and warrants, and prior minutes — plus discussion of a possible partial land sale of the Sterling Airport. The agenda noted that 50 So. Nelson Rd. has been sold to AG Dream Flip LLC. It also included mailing statutory exemption applications in early August, with an April 1 due date, and an RRG update.

Capital Budget Committee and Finance Committee — Dana Bratloff appointment

The Capital Budget Committee and a joint meeting of the Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, Select Board, and Town Moderator were both scheduled to consider a proposed one-year appointment of Dana Bratloff to the Capital Budget Committee to fill the balance of Lynne Sheppard's term. If approved, the committee would have seven members. The Select Board agenda listed the same item as a joint appointment, spelling the name "Dana Bartlof."

Select Board — driveway permit, appointments, memorials, and events

The Select Board's July 20 agenda included a vote on an entrance driveway permit for 24R Griffin Road, a Female Sexual Harassment Officer appointment, the joint Capital Budget Committee appointment, a peace pole installation, a firefighter memorial, a downtown banner for town events, and the Barefoot Half Marathon scheduled for September 6, 2026.

Conservation Commission — public hearings on Country Rd and Lakeshore Drive

On July 21, the Conservation Commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on selective clearing and vegetation management at 14 Country Rd and a public hearing on shoreline retaining wall replacement and French drain installation at 53 Lakeshore Drive. The agenda also included continuation of stormwater regulations discussion, enforcement items for 95 Chace Hill Road, 430 Metropolitan Road, and 16 North Cove Road, and board reorganization.

Sterling Municipal Light Board — depreciation transfer vote and rate study

The Municipal Light Board's July 22 agenda included a vote on a depreciation transfer, discussion of customer security deposits, a banner across Main Street, the cost-of-service rate study, and a website redesign. The agenda also listed a monthly report, a fiber update, the 2025 auditor's report, and an executive session for confidential energy supplier information.

Housing Authority — Language Access Plan and financials

The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on July 28 was scheduled to elect officers, approve minutes from May 20, 2026, approve May and June 2026 financials, and act on Resolution 2026-11 to update the Language Access Plan. The board also planned to consider a separate budget for a records system, locking file cabinet, and printer.

Other committees

The DPW Facility Committee met July 20 for an update on 44 Chocksett Road, a superintendent update, and to set future meeting dates. The Economic Development Committee met July 27 to discuss Town Center Parking and receive a Celebrate Sterling update, with its next meeting set for August 24, 2026. The Fair Committee met July 27 to coordinate Exhibit Hall setup, entries, judging, ribbon needs, and take-down; an earlier July 20 Fair Committee agenda contained only procedural boilerplate with no discernible items.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Cultural Council:** Guidelines and priorities for the 2026 grant cycle; no formal votes scheduled.
• **Aug. 3 — Fair Committee:** Agenda incomplete; no items listed.
• **Aug. 10 — Trustees of the Conant Public Library:** Sustainable Libraries Initiative Certification, start of the Library Director's evaluation process, and review of June 8, 2026 minutes.
• **Aug. 12 — Fair Committee:** No substantive items listed; agenda appears procedural or administrative.

Sterling Boards Tackle Budget Transfers, Airport Land Sale, and Paving Plans

Sterling's town boards covered a range of fiscal, infrastructure, and land-use matters over the past two weeks, though minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings. What follows is based on the published agendas.

Select Board: End-of-Year Budget Transfers

The Select Board's July 6 agenda called for a vote on end-of-year budget transfers. No minutes are available yet, so the outcome of that vote is not on the record.

Finance and Capital Budget Committees: Joint Meeting on Appointments

On July 9, the Finance Committee and Capital Budget Committee held a joint meeting to consider appointing Dana Brattlof to the Capital Budget Committee and to elect a CBC chair and vice chair. The agenda also included approval of prior minutes and a public session of six minutes total, with two minutes per speaker. Minutes have not been published.

Board of Health: Septic Upgrade, Noise Regulation, and Beach Signs

The Board of Health met twice in the past two weeks. On July 8, the agenda focused on discussing interviews for agent candidates, with public session limited to 21 minutes and three-minute speaking slots.

On July 9, the board's agenda included a local upgrade approval for a septic system at 12 Oakwood Drive, citing 310 CMR 15.405(1)(h) with a 5-foot offset from groundwater. The agenda also listed a discussion on a possible noise/nuisance regulation, purchase of signs and deterrents for Town Beach and Ball Fields (no dollar amount listed), a pool inspection checklist review, and an emergency preparedness update. No minutes are available.

Assessor's Office: Sterling Airport Land Sale Discussion

The Assessor's Office met July 13 with routine items on the agenda — approving the agenda, signing payables, and adopting prior minutes. The agenda noted the recent sale of 50 South Nelson Road to AG Dream Flip LLC and included a discussion of a possible partial sale of Sterling Airport land. The office also planned to mail statutory exemption applications in early August, due April 1. Minutes are not yet published.

DPW: Paving Bids and Water Infrastructure

The Department of Public Works agenda for July 14 included a review of 2026 paving bid results and plan options, a six-wheel dump truck order via ATG, a status update on Oak Hill Cemetery walls, a Greenland Road culvert evaluation, and a Campground Water Main Replacement design using remaining $57,000 in funds. Minutes are not available.

Coming Up

Several meetings are scheduled for July 20 and the following week:

• **Select Board (July 20):** Will consider an entrance driveway permit for 24R Griffin Road, a joint appointment of Dana Bartlof to the Capital Budget Committee, a peace pole installation, a firefighter memorial, a downtown banner for town events, and the Barefoot Half Marathon scheduled for September 6, 2026.
• **Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, Select Board, and Town Moderator (July 20):** Joint meeting on a proposed one-year appointment of Dana Bratloff to the Capital Budget Committee to fill the balance of Lynne Sheppard's term.
• **DPW Facility Committee (July 20, 6:00 p.m.):** Update on the 44 Chocksett Road facility, superintendent update, and future meeting schedule.
• **Conservation Commission (July 21):** Public hearings on vegetation management at 14 Country Rd and shoreline retaining wall replacement at 53 Lakeshore Drive, plus enforcement items for 95 Chace Hill Road, 430 Metropolitan Road, and 16 North Cove Road.
• **Sterling Municipal Light Board (July 22):** Scheduled vote on a depreciation transfer, plus discussion of a cost-of-service rate study, website redesign, customer security deposits, a banner across Main Street, and the 2025 auditor's report.

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed until minutes are published. Residents can check the town's official meeting postings for updated minutes and agendas.

Sterling boards weigh budget transfers, septic upgrade, and airport land sale in busy stretch

Sterling's town boards covered ground on finances, public health, and land use over the past two weeks, though most meetings remain agenda-only with minutes not yet published — meaning no outcomes are confirmed.

Select Board: End-of-year transfers on the table

The Select Board was scheduled July 6 to consider and vote on end-of-year budget transfers. Minutes have not yet been published, so the result of that vote is not confirmed in the available record.

Board of Health: Septic upgrade, noise regulation, and agent interviews

The Board of Health met three times in the span of two weeks. On July 1 and July 8, the board focused on interviewing candidates for an agent position; the July 8 session was largely procedural with public session limited to 21 minutes and three-minute speaking slots.

On July 9, the board's agenda included a local upgrade approval for a septic system at 12 Oakwood Drive, citing 310 CMR 15.405(1)(h) — a 5-foot offset from groundwater. The same meeting was set to discuss a possible noise/nuisance regulation, review a pool inspection checklist, receive an emergency preparedness update, and consider purchasing signs or deterrents for Town Beach and Ball Fields. No dollar amount was listed for that purchase. None of these outcomes are confirmed, as minutes have not been published.

Capital Budget and Finance Committees: Joint meeting on appointments and leadership

The Finance Committee and Capital Budget Committee met jointly on July 9. The agenda called for appointing Dana Brattlof to fill a vacancy on the Capital Budget Committee, followed by the election of a CBC chair and vice chair. Public session was scheduled for six minutes total, with two minutes per speaker. Prior minutes approval was also on the agenda. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Animal Control Advisory Board: Leadership vote and clinic planning

The Animal Control Advisory Board was scheduled June 29 to vote on a 2026 chair and co-chair. The agenda also included a dangerous dog update, kennel inspections, dog license status, and setting a date for the fall rabies clinic. Old business referenced vaccinations from the spring rabies clinic. Minutes are not yet published.

Economic Development Committee: Celebrate Sterling 2026

Also on June 29, the Economic Development Committee was set to receive an update on the Celebrate Sterling 2026 project, including next steps and timeline, with Lex Thomas listed on the agenda. Minutes are not yet published.

Fair Committee: Executive session

The Sterling Fair Committee met in executive session on July 1. The agenda contained only procedural boilerplate with no listed public discussion or decision items.

Coming up

• **July 13 — Assessor's Office:** The agenda includes discussion of a possible partial sale of Sterling Airport land and recording the sale of 50 South Nelson Road to AG Dream Flip LLC. The office will also mail statutory exemption applications in early August, due April 1.
• **July 14 — Department of Public Works:** The DPW will review 2026 paving bid results and plan options, discuss a six-wheel dump truck order via ATG, and get status updates on Oak Hill Cemetery walls, the Greenland Road culvert, and the Campground Water Main Replacement design using remaining $57,000 in funds.
• **July 20 — Fair Committee:** The agenda text is garbled and contains only procedural boilerplate; no actionable items are discernible.

Sterling boards set agendas on appointments, land hearings, and end-of-year transfers

Most consequential item

The Select Board is scheduled to vote on end-of-year budget transfers at its meeting today, July 6, 2026. No dollar amounts or transfer details were listed in the available agenda, and minutes from recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes of the past two weeks' meetings are not yet on the record.

Conservation Commission — June 22

The Conservation Commission agenda listed two public hearings: a Request for Determination of Applicability for selective clearing in a buffer zone at 14 Country Rd, and a Notice of Intent for replacing a failing retaining wall and installing a French drain at 53 Lakeshore Drive. The agenda also included continued discussion of stormwater regulations, enforcement actions at 95 Chace Hill Road and 430 Metropolitan Road, board reorganization, and an agent report for new applicant Melissa Warren. Minutes were not available.

Joint appointments — June 24

The Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, and Select Board were scheduled to meet jointly to vote on several appointments and reappointments:

• Kevin Beaupre — Capital Budget Committee, 3-year appointment
• Marina Meehan — Finance Committee, 3-year appointment
• Ezequiel Ayala — Finance Committee, 3-year reappointment
• Kathy Greenwood — Finance Committee and Capital Budget Committee, new appointment
• Mike Padula — DPW Building Committee, new appointment

The Select Board agenda also listed updates on the Sterling Fair, logistics of new Town Hall operating hours, and Masterplan updates. Because minutes have not been published, the results of these votes are not confirmed.

Board of Health — June 25 and July 1

The Board of Health met on both June 25 and July 1 to interview candidates for an agent position. Agendas also included a public session for comments and routine procedural items such as approving past minutes and reviewing correspondence. No candidate names or hiring decisions were listed.

Planning Board — June 25

The Planning Board was scheduled to consider an Approval Not Required (ANR) plan for a lot line change at 15 Hardscrabble (Parcel ID 42-15). The agenda also included reorganization of the Planning Board and approval of the March 5 and April 30, 2026 meeting minutes.

Animal Control Advisory Board — June 29

The Animal Control Advisory Board agenda listed a vote on a 2026 chair and co-chair, an update on dangerous dog reports, kennel inspections, dog license status, spring rabies clinic vaccinations, and setting a date for the fall rabies clinic. Approval of the May 28, 2026 meeting minutes was also scheduled.

Economic Development Committee — June 29

The Economic Development Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Celebrate Sterling 2026 project, including next steps and timeline, with Lex Thomas listed. The agenda also included review of past meeting minutes.

Fair Committee — July 1

The Sterling Fair Committee met in executive session. The agenda contained only procedural boilerplate with no listed discussion or decision items.

Coming up

• **Select Board, July 6** — Vote on end-of-year budget transfers.
• **Finance and Capital Budget Committees, July 9 (joint)** — Consider appointing Dana Brattlof to the Capital Budget Committee and electing a CBC chair and vice chair. Public session allows 2 minutes per speaker, 6 minutes total.
• **Fair Committee, July 20** — Agenda contains only procedural boilerplate; no actionable items are discernible.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are agenda-only; minutes have not been published. Items shown reflect what was scheduled for discussion or vote, not confirmed outcomes.

Sterling joint meeting considers finance board appointments; end-of-year transfers next

The Select Board, Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, and Town Moderator met jointly on June 24 to consider a roster of appointments to the Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, and the DPW Building Committee. Minutes from the meeting had not been published as of this week, so final decisions on the posts remain unannounced.

Joint meeting weighs appointments

The June 24 joint session included consideration of five appointments across three committees. Kevin Beaupre was listed for a three-year appointment to the Capital Budget Committee. Marina Meehan was under consideration for a three-year Finance Committee appointment, while Ezequiel Ayala was up for a three-year reappointment to the same panel. Kathy Greenwood was listed for new appointments to both the Finance Committee and the Capital Budget Committee. Mike Padula was the sole name advanced for the DPW Building Committee. The Select Board’s agenda for the same date also noted updates on the Sterling Fair, new Town Hall operating hours, and master plan progress.

Other recent meetings

The Planning Board met June 25 to reorganize its membership and take up an Approval Not Required (ANR) lot line change request for 15 Hardscrabble (Parcel ID 42-15). The board also planned to approve minutes from its March 5 and April 30 sessions.

The Board of Health held meetings June 25 and July 1 to interview candidates for an agent position. Both agendas focused on the interviews, with standard procedural items.

The Animal Control Advisory Board gathered June 29. Its agenda called for a vote on a 2026 chair and co-chair, a dangerous dog report update, kennel inspections, dog license status, and setting a date for the fall rabies clinic. Approval of May 28 minutes also appeared on the docket.

The Economic Development Committee met June 29 to receive an update on the Celebrate Sterling 2026 event, including next steps and timeline, with Lex Thomas.

The Fair Committee met July 1 in executive session with no public discussion items listed.

Coming up

The Select Board will meet Monday, July 6, to vote on end-of-year budget transfers. The agenda lists a single action item: approval of the transfers.

On Thursday, July 9, the Finance Committee and Capital Budget Committee will convene jointly. They will consider the appointment of Dana Brattlof to the Capital Budget Committee and then elect a chair and vice chair for the CBC. A six-minute public comment period — with a two-minute limit per speaker — precedes the business portion.