Blackstone meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Blackstone meeting roundup: No decisions finalized, but key items on the table

No major decisions have been finalized in Blackstone over the past two weeks, as most recent meeting minutes have not yet been published. The most consequential items on the agenda include a $537,743.26 water and sewer commitment, a school lease renewal, and the signing of the state primary election warrant.

Water and Sewer Commission

The Water and Sewer Commission meeting scheduled for August 13 was cancelled, so no action was taken on the proposed commitments of $282,327.16 for water and $255,416.10 for sewer. The agenda also included updates on drought conditions, lead service line inventory, and the water treatment plant.

Board of Selectmen

At its August 11 meeting, the Board of Selectmen was set to sign the State Primary Election Warrant, renew the BMR School District lease agreement, and approve one-day liquor licenses for The Daniel’s Farmstead (five events from August to October 2026). The board also planned to approve a drainlayer license for Poulin Enterprises at 72 Fisher Street, release a road maintenance bond for 142 Blackstone Street, and make appointments, including Keithley R. Sutton Jr. to the Economic Development Committee. No votes have been reported.

School Building Committee

The Blackstone-Millville Regional District School Building Committee met August 12 to review interior design renderings, receive a community engagement update, and approve minutes from July 8. The Owner’s Project Manager provided financial and schedule updates, including July invoices from DRA and CPL. A public forum was scheduled.

Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee met twice on August 10 to finalize its business list for the month and receive an update from Main Street America representative Cristina Coulter. The committee also discussed correspondence on Board of Health permitting and future agenda items, including a Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission presentation on the Blackstone Priority Development Center Study and a Main Street America overview. An upcoming meeting on August 24 will welcome new member Keithley R. Sutton Jr. and hear the CMRPC study introduction.

Board of Health

The Board of Health met August 11 to review health code violations at Cumberland Farms (37 Rocco Drive), 2 Monica Lane, 27 Farm Street (abandoned property), and 92 Main St. The board also discussed a possible gift of land for the Farm Street Landfill, approved payroll for the Health Agent, and considered permits for body art, mobile food, and food establishments.

Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation Commission met August 10 to allocate funds for the Ice Cream Social/Movie Night, finalize basketball court procurement and benches, and discuss field use requests with leagues. The board also planned a Food Truck/Movie Night on September 12. The August 24 meeting has been cancelled.

Mosquito Control

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will spray in Blackstone on August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, subject to weather. Residents can request service by calling (508) 393-3055 or visiting www.cmmep.org. Property owners may opt out of wide-area applications per 333 CMR 13.03(1)(a).

Other meetings

The Library Board of Trustees reviewed the FY27 operating budget and building maintenance contracts. The Conservation Commission reviewed four Notices of Intent and an ANRAD for Kimball Sand Company. The Board of Assessors approved motor vehicle tax commitments and abatements. The School Finance Committee reviewed the FY26 budget and FY25 audit.

Coming up

• **August 24:** Economic Development Committee – CMRPC study introduction, new member welcome, business list.
• **August 25:** Housing Authority – July minutes, warrant, and director’s report.
• **August 26:** Zoning Board of Appeals – discussion on a shed at 168 Farm Street and Chapter 40A amendments.
• **August 31:** Mosquito control spray date (informational notice).

Blackstone boards weigh school building vote, Kimball expansion; no decisions yet

Recent meeting agendas in Blackstone covered a range of significant topics, from school building vote procedures to a site expansion review. As of this writing, minutes have not been published for any of the meetings held in the past two weeks, so all items remain pending action.

School building project

The most consequential item on recent agendas was a series of joint meetings on August 5 to discuss procedures for a building vote under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 16(n). The Board of Selectmen, School Committee, School Building Committee, and Finance Committee all participated in the discussion, which included a public forum. No vote was taken.

Separately, the School Committee on August 5 was scheduled to vote on a contract for an Interim Director of Finance and Operations, discuss the 2026-2027 school calendar, and consider a field trip request for the band. The School Building Committee met again on August 12 to review interior design renderings and July invoices from DRA and CPL.

Planning and development

The Planning Board on August 6 continued a site plan and stormwater review by Tetra Tech for the Kimball site expansion. The board also discussed and was scheduled to vote on requiring two paper copies and an electronic PDF for planning applications, along with FY27 DLTA funding, veteran's housing, and a by-law review. The Conservation Commission on August 12 was set to review four Notices of Intent (121 Lakeshore Drive, Lot 1-D Mendon Street, 133 Lakeshore Drive, and Parcel 24-21 Union Street) and an ANRAD for Kimball Sand Company.

Town operations and finances

The Board of Selectmen on August 11 was scheduled to sign the State Primary Election Warrant, renew the BMR School District lease agreement, approve five one-day liquor licenses for The Daniel's Farmstead, and approve a Drainlayer License for Poulin Enterprises. The board also planned to re-appoint Jaime Kelly as Town Counsel-Labor and appoint Keithley R. Sutton Jr. to the Economic Development Committee.

The Board of Assessors on August 12 was set to approve motor vehicle tax commitments and abatements, and to enter executive session for confidential matters. The Water & Sewer Commission meeting scheduled for August 13 was cancelled; its agenda had included approving water and sewer commitments totaling $537,743.26 ($282,327.16 for water, $255,416.10 for sewer).

Health and safety

The Board of Health on August 11 was scheduled to review health code violations at Cumberland Farms (37 Rocco Drive), 2 Monica Lane, 27 Farm Street, and 92 Main St., and to discuss a possible gift of land for the Farm Street Landfill. The board also planned to vote on payroll for the Health Agent and consider several permit applications, including body art and mobile food vendors.

Coming up

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project has scheduled spraying in Blackstone on August 17, 24, and 31 (dates are tentative and weather-dependent). Residents can request site-specific spraying by calling (508) 393-3055 or visiting www.cmmep.org. Property owners may opt out of wide-area applications per 333 CMR 13.03(1)(a). No other public meetings are listed for the next two weeks.

Blackstone boards tackle building vote, Kimball expansion, and $537K in water/sewer commitments

Blackstone's boards and committees have a full slate of meetings this week, with no decisions yet published from recent sessions. Key items on upcoming agendas include a $537,743.26 water and sewer commitment approval, continued review of the Kimball site expansion, and joint discussions on procedures for a school building vote.

Building vote procedures

Multiple boards met jointly on August 5 to discuss procedures for a school building vote under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 16(n). Participants included the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, School Building Committee, and Finance Committees. The agenda included a public forum for resident input. The School Building Committee has scheduled follow-up meetings on August 12 and September 9, 2026.

Planning and development

The Planning Board met on August 6 to continue a site plan and stormwater review by Tetra Tech for the Kimball site expansion. Members also discussed a possible vote on requiring two paper copies and an electronic PDF for planning applications, veteran's housing, FY27 DLTA funding, and a by-law review update. No votes were recorded in the agenda.

Finance and operations

The School Committee met on August 5 to vote on a contract for an Interim Director of Finance and Operations, discuss the 2026-2027 school calendar, and consider a field trip request for the band. The agenda also included a closed session for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel.

The Water & Sewer Commission will meet on August 13 to consider approving water and sewer commitments totaling $537,743.26 — $282,327.16 for water and $255,416.10 for sewer. The agenda also includes updates on drought conditions, lead service line inventory, and the water treatment plant.

The Board of Assessors will meet on August 12 to vote on motor vehicle tax commitments and abatements, and to enter executive session for confidential abatement and exemption matters.

Other boards

The Parks and Recreation Commission met on July 27 to review ADA action items, field use fees, playground equipment at Elm Street Station, and a semiquincentennial event recap. The Housing Authority met on July 28 to vote on the FY2027 Annual Plan and a smoking policy update. The Historical Commission met on August 5 to discuss museum operations, signage, technology upgrades, and a Green Community grant. The Council on Aging held a workshop and a regular meeting on August 6, covering improvements to the senior center and routine business.

Mosquito control

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project has issued notices for spraying in Blackstone on August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, subject to weather and mosquito activity. Residents can request site-specific spraying by calling (508) 393-3055 or visiting www.cmmep.org, and may opt out of wide-area applications on private property.

Coming up

• **August 10** – Mosquito control notice (spraying date)
• **August 12** – Conservation Commission: review of four Notices of Intent and an ANRAD for Kimball Sand Company
• **August 12** – Board of Assessors: motor vehicle tax commitments and abatements
• **August 13** – Water & Sewer Commission: $537,743.26 in commitments
• **August 17** – Mosquito control notice (spraying date)
• **August 24** – Mosquito control notice (spraying date)

All recent meeting agendas are available on the town's website; minutes have not yet been published.

Blackstone Weekly Roundup: Housing Authority, Parks & Rec, and EDC Met; School Building Vote and Water Commitments Ahead

What Happened This Week

Most town meetings held over the past two weeks have agendas available but minutes not yet published, so outcomes — including any votes — cannot be confirmed from the public record at this time. Here is what was scheduled.

Housing Authority — July 28

The Blackstone Housing Authority was scheduled to vote on the FY2027 Annual Plan at its July 28 meeting. The agenda also listed a smoking policy update, approval of June 2026 warrants, and approval of minutes from a June 23, 2026 emergency meeting. Minutes have not yet been published, so the vote result is not confirmed.

Parks and Recreation Commission — July 27

The Parks and Recreation Commission was set to review ADA action items under Article 31, including competitive procurement for basketball courts, and discuss price points for field use fees. The agenda also included an update on playground equipment at Elm Street Station, a Semiquincentennial event recap, and an open discussion with leagues on field use requests. A drone-related email was listed under correspondence. No major decisions were scheduled.

Economic Development Committee — July 27

The EDC planned to finalize a business list for action in August and receive an update on the Cristina Coulter MSA. DPH Chair Joshua Ryan was listed as attending to meet the committee. A future agenda item on the Main Street corridor was also noted.

Board of Selectmen — July 21

The Board of Selectmen held a workshop session on the town's Semiquincentennial Celebration plans. The agenda described the session as informational with no formal votes scheduled. A separate July 21 agenda listed only procedural items with no concrete decisions detailed.

Zoning Board of Appeals — July 22

A Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for July 22 at 7:00 PM was cancelled. A separate agenda for the same date listed only routine procedural items — roll call, correspondence, minutes, and bills — with no rezonings, special permits, or variance requests. The next ZBA meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2026.

Mosquito Control

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project posted notices for tentative spray dates in Blackstone on July 6, 13, 20, and 27. Residents can request site-specific spraying by calling (508) 393-3055 or visiting www.cmmep.org. Property owners may exclude their private property from wide-area spraying per 333 CMR 13.03(1)(a).

Coming Up

• **August 5 — Joint School Building Meeting:** The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee meets jointly with the Boards of Selectmen, Finance Committees, and School Building Committee to discuss building vote procedures under General Law Chapter 71, Section 16(n). A marching band field trip request is also on the agenda. A public forum is scheduled.
• **August 6 — Planning Board:** Review of the Kimball Site Expansion stormwater and site plan by Tetra Tech, plus discussions on veteran's housing, FY27 DLTA funding, and a potential vote on requiring 2 paper copies and 1 electronic PDF copy for planning applications.
• **August 13 — Water & Sewer Commission:** The commission will consider approving water and sewer commitments totaling $537,743.26 ($282,327.16 water; $255,416.10 sewer). Updates on drought conditions, lead service line inventory, and the water treatment plant are also scheduled.
• **August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 — Mosquito Spraying:** Tentative CMMCP spray dates for August, subject to weather and mosquito activity.
• **August 19 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Next scheduled meeting.