Uxbridge meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Uxbridge boards meet on warrants, subdivisions, and kratom; no decisions published yet

Uxbridge town boards held a busy week of meetings, but none of the minutes have been published yet, so no decisions are reported. The most consequential agenda items included a $1.66 million warrant payment from the School Committee, a 21-lot subdivision hearing, and a state order to remove kratom from local stores.

School Committee

The School Committee met on August 18 to consider approving three warrants totaling $1,657,027.30: AP2652-S for $541,449.07, AP2656-S for $403,701.93, and AP2706-S for $712,876.30. The agenda also included a request for an additional $137,615 in Chapter 70 funding, approval of job descriptions for five positions (Accounts Payable/Finance Secretary, Speech and Language Pathologist, Special Education Team Chair, Math Instructional Coach, and Literacy Instructional Coach), and acceptance of donations for TAFT and High School signage. Facilities updates covered the summer school entrances/security project, UHS egress status, a track turf study, and tennis/pickleball courts.

Planning Board

The Planning Board held continuation hearings on two subdivisions on August 12: a five-lot plan at 103 Granite Street (applicant Otwood Investment Group, LLC) and a 21-lot plan at 104 Chestnut Street, called "Manella Estates" (applicant TTK Real Estate, LLC). The board also discussed updates on Cobblers Knoll, ANR plans for several properties, and reviewed two proposed zoning bylaw amendments and changes to subdivision rules.

Select Board

The Select Board met on August 10 for three separate hearings. It considered an amended all-alcohol license for Retail Beverage Partners Uxbridge, Inc. at 250 South Main Street, involving a change in stock ownership and officers/directors. It also held a hearing on an amended Club All Alcoholic Beverages License for Uxbridge VFW Post 1385 at 13 Cross Road, which would add outdoor consumption areas and change Sunday hours. The board also voted on appointments (Diane Picard and Beverly Gudanowski to the Historical Commission) and accepted donations, including $18,573 for the Police Department Comfort Dog Mutual Aid Project. It authorized Town Counsel to respond to an Open Meeting Law complaint from Patrick Stephan. On August 14, the board toured the McCloskey Building at 62 Capron Street as a discussion item.

Board of Health

The Board of Health met on August 19 to discuss a state emergency order designating kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, effective August 28, 2026, which authorizes local officials to remove kratom products from retail stores. The board also reviewed tobacco sales regulations, considered a septic hauling permit for Marchand Environmental, and received updates on grants (MVP 2.0, MVP action grant, and a DEP Recycling Grant).

Other meetings

The Conservation Commission held hearings on several Notices of Intent, including a new house at 25 Brown Terrace, a stormwater permit for a new road at Evans Place, and driveway/porch work at 116 Hunter Road. The Housing Authority reviewed its FYE 12/31/26 operating budget, paving and stoop replacement projects, and a maintenance supervisor position. The Library Trustees discussed FY27 goals and a possible bylaws working group. The Public Safety Committee considered crosswalks, speed limit signs, and streetlights. The Open Space Committee reviewed land management regulations and a trail MOU. The Dog Park Committee discussed maintenance and fundraisers. The Historical Commission voted on a vice chair and discussed a monument design.

Coming up

The Select Board will hold a public hearing on August 24 at 6:30 PM on a flammable liquids storage license for 502 Douglas Street (34,000 gallons of gasoline and 6,000 gallons of diesel). The board will also vote on laying out Tea Party Drive and Crownshield Avenue as public ways, and on authorizing Town Counsel to respond to an Open Meeting Law complaint from Rachel Frazier. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on September 2 at 6:00 PM on a variance request for a garage at 173 Chestnut Street (Agricultural Zone, Map 44, Parcel 2294).

Uxbridge boards weigh land sale, library parking transfer, and alcohol license changes

Recent Uxbridge town meetings covered a potential sale of town forestry land, a proposed transfer of the library parking lot, and several alcohol license hearings. No votes or decisions have been published yet from these meetings, as minutes are not yet available.

Select Board considers land sale, PACE program, and library parking

At its July 27 meeting, the Select Board had on its agenda a vote on joining the PACE Massachusetts energy program, a discussion of transferring the library parking lot land (with access easements) to the town, and a review/vote on a Notice of Intent to Sell forestry land at 70 Chocolog Road for residential use. The board also discussed WRAP funds and the Hecla Street Bridge. No outcomes have been published.

Library Trustees to interview candidate, discuss parking lot

Also on July 27, the Board of Library Trustees planned to interview Dave Moriarty for a one-member seat opening, vote on the candidate, and discuss the same library parking lot land transfer to the town.

Conservation Commission reviews wetland permits

On August 3, the Conservation Commission discussed potential bylaw changes for the Fall Annual Town Meeting, reviewed stormwater regulations, and heard updates on wetland compliance. Several permit applications were continued to August 17, including a Notice of Intent for a single-family house at 25 Brown Terrace (with septic in the 100-foot buffer zone) and a stormwater permit for 103 Granite St. (a 750-foot roadway serving five residential lots). The commission also reviewed compliance at 63/67 Homeward Avenue and 619 Quaker Highway, and a request for determination at 35 Mountainview Road.

Zoning Board hears ADU request

On August 5, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on a special permit application from Dale Bangma to construct an accessory dwelling unit at 575 Hazel Street, in the Residential A Zone (Assessor's Map 22, Parcel 0597). No decision has been published.

Other meetings

The Virginia Blanchard Scholarship Committee met July 27 to review the 2026 scholarship application and vote on proposed changes. The 300th Anniversary Committee meeting scheduled for August 5 was canceled. On August 1, the Select Board held a workshop to review the Town Manager's performance and set goals.

Coming up

• **August 10, 6:30 PM** – Select Board public hearing on an amended all-alcohol license for Retail Beverage Partners Uxbridge, Inc. at 250 South Main Street (change in stock ownership and officers/directors). Lower Town Hall Meeting Room.
• **August 10, 6:40 PM** – Select Board public hearing on an amended alcohol license for Uxbridge Post 1385 V.F.W. at 13 Cross Road, adding outdoor consumption areas and revising Sunday hours. Lower Town Hall Meeting Room.
• **August 13** – Historical Commission to elect a vice chair and discuss monument design and vendor options.
• **August 24, 6:30 PM** – Select Board public hearing on a flammable liquids storage license for 34,000 gallons of gasoline and 6,000 gallons of diesel at 502 Douglas Street. Lower Town Hall Meeting Room.

Uxbridge Select Board Set to Vote on PACE Energy Program, Land Sales, and Library Parking Lot Transfer

Uxbridge's Select Board was scheduled to take up several consequential items at its July 27 meeting, including a vote on joining the PACE Massachusetts energy program, a notice of intent to sell 70 Chocolog Road for residential use, and discussion of transferring the library parking lot land to the town. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Select Board — July 27

The agenda listed votes on joining PACE Massachusetts, a property-assessed clean energy financing program, and on a notice of intent to sell forestry land at 70 Chocolog Road for residential use. The board was also set to discuss transferring the library parking lot land, with access easements, to the Town of Uxbridge. Other items included WRAP funds (discuss/possible vote), the Hecla Street Bridge (discuss), and board appointments. David Moriarty was listed for appointment to the Board of Library Trustees.

Board of Library Trustees — July 27

Trustees were scheduled to interview Dave Moriarty for a one-member seat opening, vote on the candidate, and discuss the proposed transfer or gift of the library parking lot land, with access easements, to the town.

Conservation Commission — July 20

A public hearing was scheduled under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Ch. 131, Sec. 40) on a Notice of Intent filed by EBT Environmental Consultants on behalf of Stephen & Angela Loveless. The proposal covers site grading for a driveway expansion, a porch addition with stairs, and two retaining walls within the 100-foot buffer zone of a bordering vegetated wetland at 116 Hunter Road (Map 24, Parcel 1856).

Planning Board — July 22

The board was set to hold an executive session on litigation strategy for ZPB 2020-029 LLC v. Uxbridge Planning Board (Land Court Docket No. 26M/SC00009). General business included an ANR plan for 235-241 Mendon Street, a sign permit at 755 Quaker Highway, a status update on Cobblers Knoll, a possible zoning violation at 14 R Quaker Highway, and a discussion with possible vote on proposed amendments to Subdivision Rules and Regulations.

Board of Health — July 22

The agenda included appointing a health inspector and receiving updates on housing, food, and nuisance inspections. Grant updates covered the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health shared service grant — funding a regional health inspector, community health educator, epidemiologist, and community health worker — plus MVP2.0, MVP action, and DEP recycling grants.

Public Safety Committee — July 21

Residents requested "Slow" or "Traffic entering on right" signs on West River Road near Pouts Lane and Route 16, plus completion of the sidewalk connection from Pouts Lane to Route 16. Another request asked that the Laurel Street bridge be fixed for two-way traffic or marked "One Way Only." The committee was also to receive an update on secondary egress from the high school.

School Committee — July 20

The committee was scheduled to consider field trips for Uxbridge High School students, including a two-day trip to New York and the All New England Chorus Festival in Plymouth, NH. A superintendent evaluation and liaison reports were also listed, with possible executive sessions for collective bargaining or litigation.

Other Meetings

The Historical Commission met July 23 to reorganize and review prior business; no specific decisions were listed. The Virginia Blanchard Scholarship Committee was set to review the 2026 scholarship application, vote on proposed changes, and review the scholarship fund account. The 300th Anniversary Committee's July 22 meeting was cancelled; planned items included a wrap-up bonfire, 300th merchandise, and a Legends & Lantern event. The Select Board held an August 1 workshop to review the Town Manager and set performance goals.

Coming Up

• **Conservation Commission — Aug. 3:** Wetland compliance reviews for DEP files #312-1183 (63/67 Homeward Avenue) and #312-1062 (619 Quaker Highway); continued items include NOI 312-1200 at 25 Brown Terrace and the FY26 SWM-12 Evan Place stormwater permit at 103 Granite St. Also: a Request for Determination for tree removal and shed construction at 35 Mountainview Road.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals — Aug. 5, 6:00 PM:** Public hearing on a special permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 575 Hazel Street (Residential A Zone, Map 22, Parcel 0597), applicant Dale Bangma.
• **Select Board — Aug. 10, 6:30 PM:** Public hearing on an amended all-alcohol license for Retail Beverage Partners Uxbridge, Inc. at 250 South Main Street, involving a change in stock ownership and officers/directors. At 6:40 PM, a hearing on VFW Post 1385's amended Club All Alcoholic Beverages On-Premises License at 13 Cross Road, adding outdoor consumption areas and revising Sunday hours.
• **Historical Commission — Aug. 13:** Election of a vice chair and discussion of a proposed monument's design and vendor options.