Upton meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Conservation Commission Approves Grove St. Building in No-Build Zone; Planning Board Hears 17-Lot Subdivision

The Upton Conservation Commission voted unanimously to allow a three-story residential and office building at 6-8 Grove St. to be built within the 75-foot no-build zone, reducing impervious area by 700 square feet. The commission also closed hearings for a trail bridge at 0 North St. and a site plan at 100 Pleasant St., issued a certificate of compliance for 128 Glenview St., and issued a partial certificate for Lot 1 Sawmill Brook Lane. All votes were unanimous.

Conservation Commission

The commission's Aug. 12 meeting also continued a solar field hearing at 169 South St. and a five-unit dwelling at 3 Centennial Court to a later date, and held off on a peer review decision for the same Centennial Court project. A certificate of compliance was issued for 128 Glenview St., and a partial certificate was issued for Lot 1 Sawmill Brook Lane.

Planning Board

The Planning Board held public hearings on Aug. 11 for several proposed developments, including a 17-lot subdivision at East St Estates, a 4-lot subdivision at 130 South St., a 5-apartment site plan at 3 Centennial Ct., a large-scale solar installation at 169 South St./0 Sawmill Brook Lane, and site plans for DPW renovations at 100 Pleasant St. and a project at 152 Milford St. The board also discussed a Master Plan update and considered accepting the Lantern Hill inclusionary housing special permit filing as complete. No votes were taken; minutes have not yet been published.

Other recent meetings

• **Lakes, Ponds & Streams Committee** (Aug. 10): Reviewed Pratt Pond scenario, cyanobacteria protocols, and boating regulations. Agenda only.
• **Board of Library Trustees** (Aug. 10): Reviewed the director's contract and performance review, approved the annual ARIS form, and discussed a staff resignation. Agenda only.
• **Board of Health** (Aug. 12): Finalized a draft of noise regulations and set a recurring meeting schedule. Agenda only.
• **Town Hall Building Committee** (Aug. 12): Discussed project scope and a draft Request for Proposals for an Owner's Project Manager. Agenda only.
• **Historical Commission** (Aug. 13): Voted on a Community Preservation Committee funding recommendation for Knowlton Manor. Agenda only.
• **MURSD Building Committee** (Aug. 17): Reviewed construction updates and considered change orders and invoice approvals. Agenda only.
• **Council on Aging** (Aug. 17): Discussed facility space needs and introduced a new staff member. Agenda only.
• **Board of Health** (Aug. 18): Held a public hearing on a variance request for the Lantern Hill over-55 community at 0 Mechanic St. Agenda only.
• **Cultural Council** (Aug. 18): Set grant cycle dates (applications open Sept. 1, close Oct. 15) and planned Heritage Day and Scarecrow Contest. Agenda only.
• **Upton Housing Authority** (Aug. 18): Agenda included approval of Amendment #12 to a financial assistance contract for $103,495.40 and authorization for the executive director to sign future amendments. Agenda only.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals** (Aug. 19): Held public hearings on a parking variance for Maya Grill at 118 Main St. (to increase occupancy from 65 to 96) and a 27-unit townhouse project at 45 Milford St. under Chapter 40B. Agenda only.
• **Community Preservation Committee** (Aug. 19): Considered a recommendation for the Holy Angels project for Special Town Meeting and reviewed two restoration applications. Agenda only.
• **Blackstone Valley Regional Technical HS** (Aug. 20): Agenda included votes on the FY26 audit, donations, and FY27 superintendent goals. Agenda only.

Coming up

• **MURSD School Committee** (Aug. 24): Vote on FY27 budget amendment, bond anticipation note, and out-of-state field trip.
• **Conservation Commission** (Aug. 26): Public hearings on septic replacements at 250 Milford St. and 124 Elm St., and continued reviews of solar field and housing projects.
• **DPW Building Committee** (Aug. 26): Vote on bidding documents, prequalified contractors, and bid alternates.
• **Economic Development Committee** (Aug. 27): Consider funding for Holy Angel's church repairs and updates on earmarked projects.
• **Cemetery Commission** (Aug. 27): Discuss state cemetery laws, overgrown lot policies, and road paving.
• **Finance Committee** (Sept. 2): Vote on a Citizens Petition for the Sept. 3 Special Town Meeting.

Upton Select Board weighs water/sewer litigation, Holy Angels auction; ZBA to hear restaurant, housing proposals

Upton's Select Board this week took up a potential lawsuit over a water and sewer extension project and moved toward a Special Town Meeting on the Holy Angels property, according to its Aug. 4 agenda. No minutes have been published for any of the three meetings held in the past two weeks, so outcomes are not yet known.

Select Board (Aug. 4)

The Select Board's agenda included several consequential items:

• **Appointment of special counsel** – The board was set to appoint Petrini & Associates, P.C. as Special Counsel for the Route 140–Main Street/Milford Road Water and Sewer Extension Project, and to discuss potential litigation related to that project.
• **Town counsel reappointment** – The board considered reappointing Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC as Town Counsel.
• **Holy Angels property** – The board was scheduled to vote on setting a date for a Special Town Meeting regarding the Holy Angels petition, and to vote on opening and closing the Special Town Meeting warrant by Aug. 7, 2026. The agenda also included discussion of an auction for the Holy Angels property.

The meeting included an executive session and public discussion on the town counsel reappointment.

Recreation Commission (Aug. 4)

The Recreation Commission met virtually to review the director's report and discuss several items:

• Summer concert series options
• Capital needs
• Items to auction at a town-wide event
• Field requests and approvals

No decisions were reported.

Town Hall Building Committee (July 29)

The committee held an organizational meeting to nominate and elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk. Members also discussed the project scope of work for the town hall building project. The agenda included time for public comments and setting the next meeting date.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks:

• **Lakes, Ponds & Streams Committee (Aug. 10, remote)** – The committee will review Scenario 2 for Pratt Pond, revise cyanobacteria protocols, consider boating regulations and enforcement for Pratt Pond, take up a new member application, and discuss benthic mat mapping.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals (Aug. 19)** – Public hearings on two continued items: a parking variance for Maya Grill at 118 Main St. to increase restaurant occupancy from 65 to 96 persons, and a Comprehensive Permit for a 27-unit townhouse development at 45 Milford St. under MGL Chapter 40B. The board will also review minutes and rules of procedure.

All items are from published agendas; minutes for recent meetings have not yet been posted.

Upton Select Board Tackles Water/Sewer Rates, Bridge Contract; Conservation Commission Reviews Five Projects

Select Board: FY27 Water & Sewer Rates, Grove Street Bridge Contract on Agenda

The Select Board's July 21 meeting carried the heaviest agenda of the week, though minutes have not yet been published so outcomes are not confirmed. The board scheduled a public hearing on proposed FY27 water and sewer rates at 6:15 PM, followed by several potential votes: a contract award for the Grove Street Bridge with authorization for the Town Manager to execute it, a vote to set a Special Town Meeting date for November 10, 2026, and a vote to sign and issue the warrant for the September 1, 2026 State Primary. The board also planned to vote on appointments to the Town Hall Building Committee from six candidates, accept donations for the Senior Center and food pantry, and discuss a native planting plan at Heritage Park. An executive session on litigation strategy for 79 Main Street was scheduled to close the meeting.

Conservation Commission Reviews Five Development Projects

The Conservation Commission met July 22 to continue hearings on five projects, including a 3-story mixed-use building at 6-8 Grove St, a solar field at 169 South St (continued from June 24), a five-unit multi-family dwelling at 3 Centennial Court, a trail bridge at North Street in the Forest Heights area, and a DPW facility expansion at 100 Pleasant St. The agenda also included fill and lawn permit applications at 128 Glenview St and a shared driveway and single-family home proposal at 30 & 32 Mendon St. Minutes are not yet available.

Cultural Council Sets 2026 Grant Cycle Timeline

The Cultural Council's July 21 agenda included a vote on next fiscal-year officers and setting deadlines for the 2026 grant cycle, with applications opening September 1 and closing October 15. Members also planned to discuss a September 26 Heritage Day event, a scarecrow contest, and fundraising through pint glass and wine glass sales. Minutes are not yet published.

Cemetery Commission Discusses Policy Enforcement

On July 22, the Cemetery Commission reviewed enforcement of cemetery policies regarding shrubs, plantings, and brick enclosures that do not meet guidelines. The commission also reviewed Massachusetts General Laws c.114, the revised October 2025 Upton cemetery policies, and discussed public notification for policy enforcement. Minutes are not yet available.

Other Meetings

The Upton Housing Authority met July 21 to approve April 28 minutes, review accounts payable through June 30, 2026, receive the fee accountant's financial statements, and discuss correspondence from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

The Economic Development Committee met July 23 to hear a MassDevelopment presentation and discuss three FY24 focus projects: an infrastructure analysis final plan, a West Upton Center Vision update, and extended parking plans at 0 Grove St (extended to December 2026). The committee also planned to elect officers.

The Town Hall Building Committee held its organizational meeting July 29 to elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk and discuss the project scope of work.

Coming Up

• **August 4 — Recreation Commission** (virtual): Summer concert series options, capital needs discussion, field request approvals, and auction items for a town-wide event.
• **August 4 — Select Board**: Discussion of the Holy Angels property and potential auction, appointment of Petrini & Associates, P.C. as special counsel for the Route 140–Main Street/Milford Road Water and Sewer Extension Project, reappointment of Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC as Town Counsel, and a vote to set a Special Town Meeting date for the Holy Angels petition with a warrant open/close deadline of August 7, 2026. An executive session is scheduled.

*Note: All recent meetings listed above were agenda-only items with minutes not yet published. Outcomes, vote tallies, and final dollar amounts will be confirmed when minutes become available.*