Tewksbury meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Tewksbury boards to weigh pole hearings, school spending, and kratom rules

This week's Tewksbury board meetings cover a range of items, from a $381,821.04 reimbursement to the Stabilization Fund to a new cell tower project at Heath Brook School and a proposed kratom regulation. None of the meetings have published minutes yet, so all actions are pending.

Select Board

The Select Board is scheduled to hold public hearings on two National Grid/Verizon pole petitions for 160 and 168 Vale Street. It will also hold show-cause hearings for six businesses: Main Street Grille, Smitty's Liquors, Andy's Convenience Store, The Pizza Bar, Hilton Garden Inn, and Mexica Burrito Grill.

The board will consider a $381,821.04 reimbursement to the Stabilization Fund from MassDOT, an intermunicipal agreement with 470 River Road Andover, and Special Town Meeting warrant articles. Old business includes the Shawsheen budget and a Flock MSA update.

School Committee

The School Committee held two meetings this week. A workshop reviewed policies on field trips, student travel, tobacco and drug use, and a new teen dating violence policy. No votes were listed.

A regular meeting on Aug. 19 included votes on student handbook updates for all schools, a cell tower project at Heath Brook School, and payroll payments of $1,576,175.64 (period ending July 30) and $1,546,840.89 (period ending August 13). The agenda also listed first readings of policies on school choice, time-out/seclusion/physical restraint, and a new advisory councils policy.

Housing Authority

The Housing Authority is set to ratify the creation of the Tewksbury Housing Development Corporation, including its articles of incorporation, bylaws, and initial board appointments. It will also consider a resolution on a change of control for the Villa at Meadowview property.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on multiple requests for determinations of applicability, notices of intent, and certificates of compliance. Properties include 160 Green Meadow Drive, 15 Riverview Avenue, 36 Shady Lane, 51 Joanne Drive, 160 County Road, and 72 No. Billerica Road. A notice of intent for 21 Virginia Road (DEP File # 305-1230) and a notice of intent and land disturbance permit for 1777 Main Street (MAR-BURG 1777 LLC, DEP File # 305-1233) are also on the agenda.

Planning Board

The Planning Board will review a sign special permit for 1310 Main Street, a family suite special permit for 360 Pinnacle Street, and a site plan review for 600 Woburn Street. It will also discuss parking lot striping at 345 Main Street and an approval-not-required plan for 832-836 North Street.

Board of Health

The Board of Health will hold a compliance hearing for Petroil at 1992 Main St. regarding a tobacco sale to a person under 21 on June 24, 2026. It will also hold a public hearing on a grease trap variance request from the Wamesit Association Masonic Lodge, and a public hearing on a proposed regulation on kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

Other meetings

The Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee reviewed an updated land inventory with 78 parcels removed and discussed a guided walk on August 29 at Pinnacle Trail. The Council on Aging heard about a proposed Veterans Plaque for the Senior Center. The Finance Committee discussed the Shawsheen Tech budget with new Business Manager Ian Gosselin.

Coming up

The Board of Assessors meets on August 25 to review monthly abatement lists for real estate, motor vehicles, boats, and personal property. An executive session will cover Fiscal Year 2027 exemption applications, a Fiscal Year 2024 Appellate Tax Board decision, a personal property audit, and pending tax cases.

Tewksbury boards to weigh school policies, ADU permit, and tech budget

This week's Tewksbury government meetings are all agenda items, with no final decisions yet published. The School Committee is scheduled to vote on student entrance age and promotion policies, and to approve payroll bills. The Zoning Board will hear a special permit request. Next week, the Finance Committee will discuss the Shawsheen Tech budget.

School Committee (July 29)

The School Committee's regular business meeting on July 29 includes second-reading votes on two policies: JEB (Entrance Age) and IKE (Promotion and Retention of Students). The committee will also take first informational readings on three new policies: BB (School Choice), JKAA (Time-Out, Seclusion, and Physical Restraint of Students), and KBG (Parent Advisory Councils).

Field trip requests for the 2026-2027 TMHS DECA and the TMHS Student Council overnight trip are on the agenda for a vote. The committee will also consider approving bills totaling over $5.8 million, including payroll amounts of $1,693,810 (payroll period ending June 16), $1,769,244.90 (payroll ending July 2), $1,540,474.56 (payroll ending July 16), and a balloon payment of $844,855.70. An executive session is scheduled to discuss collective bargaining with the TTA Bargaining Unit.

Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no final actions are confirmed.

Zoning Board of Appeals (July 30)

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on July 30 to hear a special permit request under Section 8.1.1.C for an accessory dwelling unit above an existing garage at 160 Green Meadow Drive. The property is zoned Residential and is listed as Assessor's Map 37, Lot 14. The board also approved minutes from its June 25 meeting. No decision has been published yet.

Finance Committee (August 18)

The Finance Committee will meet on August 18 to introduce Ian Gosselin as the new Shawsheen Tech Business Manager. The committee will hold a budget discussion with the Superintendent and Business Manager, and will consider approving minutes from its May 6 and June 22 meetings.

Coming up

• **Finance Committee** – August 18, 2026: Introduction of Shawsheen Tech Business Manager Ian Gosselin and budget discussion.

All meetings are open to the public; check the town's official calendar for times and locations.

Tewksbury Boards Tackle Tax Abatements, School Policies, and ADU Proposal in Late July Meetings

Several Tewksbury boards and committees held regular meetings between July 21 and July 30, 2026. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, the items below reflect what was on each agenda — not confirmed outcomes of votes or discussions.

School Committee — Bills and Policy Votes

The School Committee met July 29 with a packed agenda. Members were scheduled to vote on second readings of two policies: JEB (Entrance Age) and IKE (Promotion and Retention of Students). First informational readings were planned for policies on School Choice (JEBB), Time-Out, Seclusion, and Physical Restraint of Students (JKAA), and Parent Advisory Councils (KBG).

The committee was also set to act on field trip requests for the 2026–2027 TMHS DECA trip and the ITMHS Student Council overnight trip.

Bills on the agenda totaled more than $5.8 million:

• $1,693,810 — payroll period ending June 16
• $1,769,244.90 — payroll ending July 2
• $1,540,474.56 — payroll ending July 16
• $844,855.70 — balloon payment

An executive session for collective bargaining with the TTA Bargaining Unit was also scheduled.

Zoning Board of Appeals — ADU Hearing

On July 30, the ZBA was scheduled to hear a special permit request under Section 8.1.1.C to convert a non-conforming garage into an accessory dwelling unit at 160 Green Meadow Drive. The property is zoned Residential, Assessor's Map 37, Lot 14.

Board of Assessors — Abatements and New Member

The Board of Assessors met July 21 to welcome new member Michelle Branciforte and review personnel actions. The agenda included approval of monthly abatement lists for real estate, motor vehicles, boats, and personal property. Executive session items covered Fiscal Year 2026 real estate exemption applications, abatement applications, and pending Appellate Tax Board cases.

Housing Authority — Projects and Bills

The Housing Authority's July 21 agenda included approval of June and July 2026 bills, updates on the SC Community Hall Project (CSC & CFC) and SC Stairwell Project, and consideration of the 7PV Deck Replacement Project. New business included the THDC Articles of Organization and a revision to the federal ACOP.

Board of Health — Pool Rules and Kratom

On July 23, the Board of Health was scheduled to approve June 24 meeting minutes and discuss pool regulation, Kratom regulation, a Town Counsel policy, an update on the BESS system, and a property at 70 Katie's Way.

Council on Aging — Board Elections

The Council on Aging met July 21 to elect a Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The agenda also included approval of June 16 meeting minutes, a July financial report from the Treasurer, setting up Gmail accounts for board business, and a calendar of events for August 2026.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the town website for scheduling updates, as late-summer meetings may be posted after this roundup was prepared.

Tewksbury roundup: Finance Committee fills two seats; boards set hearings on 600 Woburn Street and September State Primary

The Tewksbury Finance Committee Appointing Authority added two members this month, approving Raymond Bowden and Taylor Goudreau to the committee on 3–0 votes. That was the only fully documented decision among a busy stretch of town meetings, with most other boards meeting on agendas whose minutes have not yet been published.

Finance Committee: Two appointments

On July 13, the Finance Committee Appointing Authority appointed Raymond Bowden and Taylor Goudreau as members of the Finance Committee. Each motion passed 3–0. The meeting then adjourned at 8:34 p.m. on a 3–0 vote. No other substantive actions were taken, according to the official minutes.

Planning Board: 90 Jennies Way permit, 600 Woburn Street continuation

The Planning Board met July 13 to consider a Family Suite Special Permit application for 90 Jennies Way, filed by Paul J. O’Keefe for Nicholas and Alison Kehlbeck. The agenda also listed continuation of a Site Plan Review and Special Permit for 600 Woburn Street by PEPDE Corporation, carried over from June 15, 2026. Minutes were not yet published, so outcomes are not yet available. The agenda also included approval of minutes from June 15, 2026, and a joint meeting of March 25, 2026, plus a Town Planner’s report on upcoming applications and community announcements.

Select Board: Special Town Meeting, State Primary warrant, pole petition

The Select Board met July 14 with plans to schedule a Special Town Meeting date tied to the September 1, 2026, State Primary warrant. The agenda listed a public hearing on a National Grid/Verizon jointly owned pole petition for 99 Vale Street, along with consideration of donations to the Veterans Department and the Senior Center, and review of a Town Counsel invoice for June 1–30, 2026. Minutes were not yet published.

Conservation Commission: Land disturbance hearings across town

The Conservation Commission met July 15 with multiple public hearings scheduled. The agenda included a major land disturbance request for ETS Inc. at 600 Woburn Street (Assessors Map 3, Lot 82), a Notice of Intent for Gene Sullivan at the same 600 Woburn Street parcel (DEP File # 305-1231), and a Notice of Intent & Land Disturbance Permit for MAR-BURG 1777 LLC at 1777 Main Street (Assessors Map 85, Lot 1). Additional hearings covered a Notice of Intent and land disturbance for Tyler Rynne at 73–75 Hillman Street (DEP File # 305-1232), plus Requests for Determination of Applicability at 41 Babicz Road, 72 No. Billerica Road, 15 Ponderosa Road, 86 Kendall Road, 71 John E. Smith Drive, and 257 Catamount Road. Certificate of Compliance requests were listed for Norse Environmental at 45 Leighton Lane and Jeff Koetteritz/David DiCenso at 1695 Shawsheen Street. Minutes were not yet published.

Board of Health: Meeting cancelled

The July 16 Board of Health meeting was cancelled and will be rescheduled. No decisions or discussions took place.

Coming up

• **Board of Assessors — July 21, 2026:** Will welcome new member Michelle Branciforte, review personnel actions, and approve monthly abatement lists for real estate, motor vehicle, boat, and personal property. Executive session will cover Fiscal Year 2026 real estate exemption applications and pending Appellate Tax Board cases.
• **Council on Aging — July 21, 2026:** Board elections for Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary; approval of June 16 minutes; July financials; and an August 2026 events calendar.
• **Housing Authority — July 21, 2026:** Will review June and July 2026 bills, discuss the SC Community Hall and Stairwell projects, consider the 7PV Deck Replacement Project, and take up the THDC Articles of Organization.

Tewksbury Government Roundup: School Committee Vacancy Meeting Outcome Pending; Planning Board, Conservation Commission Hearings Ahead

The Tewksbury School Committee and Select Board held a joint meeting on June 30, 2026, to discuss and potentially fill a vacancy on the School Committee, including a public hearing on the matter. However, minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions, votes, or appointments can be confirmed at this time.

School Committee Vacancy — Outcome Not Yet on Record

Three agenda entries from June 30, 2026, all reference the same joint meeting between the School Committee and Select Board focused on filling a School Committee vacancy. The agendas list a public hearing, discussion, and potential action to fill the seat. Because only agendas are available and minutes have not been published, the roundup cannot report whether the vacancy was filled, who may have been appointed, or how any vote proceeded. Readers should check the official meeting minutes once posted for the outcome.

Coming Up: Planning Board — July 13

The Planning Board meets tonight, July 13, 2026, with two property applications on the agenda:

• **90 Jennies Way** — A Family Suite Special Permit application by Paul J. O'Keefe for Nicholas and Alison Kehlbeck.
• **600 Woburn Street** — PEPDE Corporation's Site Plan Review and Special Permit, continued from June 15, 2026.

The board will also consider approval of minutes from June 15, 2026, and a joint meeting of March 25, 2026, and hear a Town Planner's report on upcoming applications and community announcements.

Coming Up: Finance Committee — July 13

The Finance Committee meets tonight to conduct candidate interviews for open positions on the committee. No other business is scheduled.

Coming Up: Select Board — July 14

The Select Board meets July 14, 2026, with several items:

• **Public hearing** on a National Grid/Verizon jointly owned pole petition at 99 Vale Street.
• **Scheduling a Special Town Meeting** date tied to the September 1, 2026, State Primary warrant.
• Consideration of donations to the Veterans Department and the Senior Center.
• Review of a Town Counsel invoice for June 1–30, 2026.

Coming Up: Conservation Commission — July 15

The Conservation Commission holds multiple public hearings on July 15, 2026, covering properties across town:

• **41 Babicz Road** (Assessors Map 9, Lot 49) — Request for Determination of Applicability.
• **600 Woburn Street** (Assessors Map 3, Lot 82) — Major Land Disturbance request from ETS Inc, and a separate Notice of Intent from Gene Sullivan (DEP File # 305-1231).
• **1777 Main Street** (Assessors Map 85, Lot 1) — Notice of Intent and Land Disturbance Permit from MAR-BURG 1777 LLC (DEP File # 305-TBD).
• **73–75 Hillman Street** (Assessors Map 35, Lot 6) — Notice of Intent and Land Disturbance from Tyler Rynne (DEP File # 305-1232).

Coming Up: Board of Health — July 16 (Cancelled)

The Board of Health meeting scheduled for July 16, 2026, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. No business will be conducted.

Coming Up: Board of Assessors — July 21

The Board of Assessors meets July 21, 2026, to welcome new member Michelle Branciforte, review personnel actions, and approve monthly abatement lists for real estate, motor vehicles, boats, and personal property. The board will then enter executive session to review Fiscal Year 2026 real estate exemption applications, abatement applications, and pending Appellate Tax Board cases. No votes on substantial policy changes are expected.

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*All recent meeting details are based on published agendas only; minutes were not available at the time of this roundup. Upcoming items reflect agendas as posted and may change. Readers are encouraged to attend meetings or consult official town records for final outcomes.*

Tewksbury boards tackle School Committee vacancy, FY26 transfers, and FLOCK cameras in busy week

Tewksbury's boards and committees covered a wide range of business the week of June 22–30, from filling a School Committee vacancy to reviewing FY26 budget transfers and discussing automated license plate readers. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes and vote tallies are not available in the public record at this time.

School Committee vacancy filled at joint meeting

The Select Board and School Committee held a joint public hearing on June 30 to discuss and potentially fill a vacancy on the School Committee. The agenda listed filling the vacancy as the sole substantive item. No vote tally or appointee name is available because minutes have not been published.

Finance Committee reviews FY26 transfers

The Finance Committee met June 22 to review and potentially approve several FY26 budget transfers, including additional transfers beyond the main review. The committee also received a status update on the Shawsheen Tech budget. Administrative items included approving minutes from meetings on March 16, March 30, April 27, and May 6, 2026, and ratifying a recording secretary's timesheet. Whether any transfers were approved is not yet documented in published minutes.

Select Board: FLOCK cameras, pole hearings, housing funds

The Select Board's June 23 agenda included two public hearings on joint pole petitions from National Grid and Verizon — one at Old Main Street (#31219736) and one at 99 Vale Street (#31200249). The board was also scheduled to discuss the FLOCK automated license plate reader system.

New business included a Conservation Commission reappointment for Linda Darveau and a Town Counsel invoice for May 16–31, 2026. Old business covered a regional housing service appropriation. No outcomes are available.

Board of Health: kratom, BESS, and 70 Katie's Way hearing

The Board of Health met June 24 to hold a public hearing on a June 9 order letter for 70 Katie's Way. The agenda also included a discussion of kratom regulation with attorney Cheryl Sbarra, an update on the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and reports on an opioid task force cinema ad and mosquito spraying.

On June 26, the board held a closed executive session to discuss litigation strategy for the Battery Energy Storage Facility. No public business or votes were scheduled. The next open meeting is set for July 16, 2026, at Town Hall.

Conservation Commission reviews wetland permits across town

The Conservation Commission's June 24 agenda included public hearings on Determinations of Applicability for 61 Young St, 21 James St, 553 Rogers St, and 100 Apple Hill Dr. The commission also planned to review Notices of Intent and Major Land Disturbance requests for 21 Virginia Rd, 0 Merrimac Dr, and 73-75 Hillman St.

Emergency certifications were listed for 319 Whipple Rd and 83 Cinnamon Circle. The agenda included an extension request for SOLitude Lake Management at 1-300 Apache Way and an exemption request for the Tewksbury State Hospital water main project from standard permitting rules.

ZBA hears two residential variance requests

The Zoning Board of Appeals met June 25 for public hearings on two variance requests: a rear setback variance for a 16x8-foot deck at 53 Bay State Ave, and a side setback variance for a 24x36-foot attached garage at 457 Shawsheen St. The board also planned to approve minutes from its May 28, 2026 meeting.

Coming up

• **Finance Committee, July 13, 2026** — Candidate interviews for open positions on the committee. No other business is scheduled.
• **Board of Health, July 16, 2026** — Next open meeting at Town Hall, following the June 26 executive session on BESS litigation strategy.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are reflected by agendas only; minutes have not been published. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes, votes, or appointments should consult the official meeting minutes once posted on the town's website.

Tewksbury committees tackle budgets, cameras, and school board vacancy

Town boards addressed a slate of policy and spending items over the past two weeks, from fiscal transfers to a school board opening, while several permit applications moved to public hearing.

The Tewksbury Finance Committee on June 22 reviewed proposed fiscal year 2026 budget transfers and received a status update on the Shawsheen Tech budget. The Select Board prepared to discuss automated license plate readers and a regional housing service appropriation. Meanwhile, the School Committee and Select Board held a joint hearing June 30 to fill a vacancy on the School Committee. Minutes for all meetings were not yet published at press time.

Finance Committee

At its June 22 session, the Finance Committee was scheduled to review and potentially approve several FY26 transfers, along with additional transfers. The agenda also included a Shawsheen Tech budget status report and approval of minutes from four prior meetings. No dollar figures were listed in the agenda.

Select Board

The Select Board met June 23 with a docket heavy on infrastructure and public safety. Public hearings were set on two joint pole petitions from National Grid and Verizon — one on Old Main Street (#31219736) and one at 99 Vale Street (#31200249). Members were then to discuss the FLOCK automated license plate reader system. Old business included a regional housing service appropriation, while new business featured a Conservation Commission reappointment for Linda Darveau and an end-of-year transfer approval. The board also reviewed a Town Counsel invoice for May 16-31, 2026.

Board of Health

The Board of Health held a public hearing June 24 on a June 9 order letter for 70 Katie’s Way. The panel also took up potential kratom regulation with state attorney Cheryl Sbarra and received updates on a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), an opioid task force cinema ad, and mosquito spraying. A closed executive session followed on June 26 to discuss BESS litigation strategy. The next open meeting is set for July 16 at Town Hall.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission held public hearings June 24 on multiple environmental permits. Agenda items included determinations of applicability for 61 Young St., 21 James St., 553 Rogers St., and 100 Apple Hill Dr. Notices of intent and major land disturbance reviews were slated for 21 Virginia Rd., 0 Merrimac Dr., and 73-75 Hillman St. Emergency certifications were on the table for 319 Whipple Rd. and 83 Cinnamon Circle. The commission also considered an extension for SOLitude Lake Management at 1-300 Apache Way and an exemption request for the Tewksbury State Hospital water main project.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals met June 25 to hear variance requests: a rear setback variance for a 16-by-8-foot deck at 53 Bay State Ave., and a side setback variance for a 24-by-36-foot attached garage at 457 Shawsheen St. The board also aimed to approve minutes from its May 28 meeting.

School Committee joint meeting

The School Committee and Select Board convened a joint public hearing June 30 to fill a vacancy on the School Committee. The agenda confined discussion to that single personnel item and procedural matters, with no votes reported before press time.

Coming up

The Finance Committee will meet July 13 to interview candidates for committee vacancies. No other business is scheduled.