Warren meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Warren boards weigh sludge contract, police station study, and new housing

Warren town boards have a busy week of meetings ahead, with the Board of Selectmen set to vote on a sludge transport contract and discuss a police station study, while the Planning Board continues a hearing on a home-based meadery. However, minutes from recent meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions are on the record as of this writing.

Board of Selectmen (Aug. 20)

The Board of Selectmen met Aug. 20 with several items on its agenda, including a vote on a contract with Wind River Environmental, LLC for liquid wastewater sludge transport. The board also discussed a study by Tecton Architects on redeveloping 968 Main Street for a new police department, and considered appointments to the Cultural Council and a Building Commissioner. Monthly reports from the Police Chief and Emergency Management were also listed. No votes or outcomes have been reported.

Planning Board and Conservation Commission (Aug. 12)

The Planning Board and Conservation Commission held a joint meeting Aug. 12. The main item was a continued public hearing on Site Plan Review No. 73, where Paquette Bros. Contracting LLC seeks approval to build six two-family dwellings on Cemetery Road (Map 23, Lots 54, 57.1, 58). The Conservation Commission also held a public hearing for a Notice of Intent on Carl Street. Both boards reviewed minutes and approved bills, but no decisions have been published.

Board of Health (Aug. 18)

The Board of Health met Aug. 18 to discuss and potentially vote on appointing Lily Juda as the town's contracted Health Agent, including her professional services contract. The board also discussed creating a vacant/unkempt property bylaw and received a Health Inspector update. No votes have been reported.

Parks & Recreation Commission (Aug. 17)

The Parks & Recreation Commission reviewed end-of-summer programs, discussed a new events calendar, and considered grants. The agenda also included a farmers market update, seasonal employee review, and updates on Cutter Park and Dean Park. No decisions have been published.

Council on Aging (Aug. 10)

The Council on Aging met to discuss the QHCHIP grant and potential new programs. The agenda contained only these two items, with no further details provided.

Coming up

• **Planning Board (Aug. 24):** Continued public hearing for Special Permit No. 318 (Jack Fowler III, 661 Main Street) for a home-based meadery. The board will also discuss a Housing Production Plan grant with a CMRPC representative and review ANR requests. Payroll submissions of $795.08, $692.12, and $749.32 are anticipated.
• **Board of Health (Aug. 25):** Vote on appointing Lily Juda as contracted Health Agent and approving her professional services contract, plus discussion of a vacant/unkempt property bylaw.
• **Housing Authority (Aug. 25):** Votes on a Fiscal Year 2026 budget revision, the August warrant, and administrative fees and design contracts for three modernization projects (Projects #318091, #318092, #318099).
• **Assessor (Aug. 26):** Routine business including bills and excise tax commitment reports for June 2026, followed by an executive session on motor vehicle excise abatement applications and appeals.

All meetings are open to the public unless noted. Residents are encouraged to check the town website for agendas and any virtual access links.

Warren boards take up police station study, road contract, sewer deals

Over the past two weeks, Warren's boards and commissions met on a range of items, but all meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. No final votes have been reported. The most consequential items under discussion include a possible police station redevelopment study, a road improvement contract, and a sewer sludge disposal contract.

Selectmen weigh police station study, road contract

The Board of Selectmen met twice in the period. At its August 6 meeting, the board discussed and could have voted on a contract with Ludlow Construction Company, Inc. for the River & Central Street Improvement Project. It also reviewed a draft report by Tecton Architects on redeveloping 968 Main Street as a police station. Other anticipated votes included renewing a bond anticipation note for the town's ambulance, appointing Tracey Mazur to a three-year term on the Warren Cultural Council, and appointing Haileigh Swistak temporarily as part-time Assistant to the Treasurer for a special project. The board also reviewed a written complaint about an electrical inspection and received monthly reports from the Fire Chief and Town Administrator. A separate August 6 meeting was held in executive session to discuss a complaint against an employee or official, with a possible vote on approving past executive session minutes.

Sewer Commission considers sludge contract, rate studies

The Sewer Commission met August 7 to discuss and possibly vote on a contract with Wind River Environmental for transport and disposal of liquid sludge. It also considered two proposals for sewer rate studies for FY29-FY31, from The Abrahams Group LLC and Tighe & Bond. The commission reviewed a sewer connection permit for 109 East Road from Lone Oak Enterprises, LLC, and discussed a building lot at 64 Richardson Street. A report from Scott covered WWTP operations, DLS follow-up, the Water Strainer Bypass project, and Copper Compliance study Phase 2.

Planning Board, Conservation Commission hold hearings on housing

The Planning Board and Conservation Commission held a joint meeting August 12. The Planning Board continued a public hearing on Site Plan Review No. 73, where Paquette Bros. Contracting LLC seeks approval to build six two-family dwellings on Cemetery Road (Map 23, Lots 54, 57.1, 58). The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for August 24. The Conservation Commission separately held public hearings for Cemetery Road and Maple Street (joint with the Planning Board) and for a Notice of Intent on Carl Street. It also reviewed minutes and approved bills.

Other recent meetings

The Cemetery Commission met August 4 to review the budget for WWD payments due from FY26, hear a superintendent's report on maintenance, and discuss quotes for vine and poison ivy eradication in South Warren. Old business included follow-ups on crack sealing, tree trimming, traffic rerouting barriers, and a plaque for the South Warren Cemetery to honor Mrs. Buck. The Council on Aging met August 10 to discuss the QHCHIP grant and potential new programs; no further details were provided.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks. The Parks & Recreation Commission meets August 17 to review end-of-summer programs, discuss a new events calendar, consider grants, get a farmers market update, review seasonal employees, and hear updates on Cutter Park and Dean Park. The Board of Health meets August 18 to discuss and potentially vote on appointing Lily Juda as contracted Health Agent and approving her professional services contract, including scope, term, and compensation. The board will also discuss creating a vacant/unkempt property bylaw and receive a Health Inspector update.

Warren boards weigh vacate appeal, police station study, road contract

Warren town boards held several meetings over the past two weeks, addressing a property vacate order, a potential police station redevelopment, and a road improvement contract. As of this writing, minutes from these meetings have not been published, so no official decisions have been reported.

Board of Health

The Board of Health scheduled a public hearing for July 29 to consider an appeal of a July 23 order directing a property at 64 Richardson St. to be vacated. The hearing was set for 3:30 PM at the Warren Senior Center, 2252 Main St., West Warren.

Community Development Advisory Committee

The Community Development Advisory Committee met July 29 to review updates on several grant programs, including Community One Stop for Growth, MVP, and Green Communities. The committee also discussed the Main Street Stair project, potential funding for the Cutter Park project, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) updates for fiscal years 2022-2025, as well as a potential FY27 CDBG application.

Cemetery Commission

The Cemetery Commission met Aug. 4 at the Warren Senior Center. Agenda items included approving past minutes, reviewing a WWD payment due from the FY26 budget, and a superintendent's report on maintenance. New business included discussing quotes for vine and poison ivy eradication in South Warren. Old business covered follow-ups on crack sealing, tree trimming, traffic rerouting barriers, and a plaque for the South Warren Cemetery to honor Mrs. Buck.

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen met Aug. 6 to discuss and possibly vote on a contract with Ludlow Construction for the River & Central Street Improvement Project, and to review a draft report by Tecton Architects on redeveloping 968 Main Street as a police station. Other anticipated votes included appointing Tracey Mazur to a three-year term on the Warren Cultural Council, appointing Haileigh Swistak temporarily as part-time Assistant to the Treasurer, renewing a bond anticipation note for the town's ambulance, and signing the 2026 State Primary Election Warrant. The board also reviewed a written complaint about an electrical inspection and received monthly reports from the Fire Chief and Town Administrator.

The board also held an executive session Aug. 6 to discuss a complaint against an employee or official, under G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(1). The board may have voted on approving past executive session minutes. No other public business was scheduled.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings have been listed for the next two weeks.

Warren boards weigh meadery permit, housing upgrades, utility poles in busy July stretch

Warren's boards and commissions packed a full agenda into the second half of July, with meetings scheduled on special permits, housing modernization, public health appointments, and utility pole installations. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so what follows reflects what each body had on its agenda — not confirmed outcomes.

Planning Board: Meadery permit and land matters

The Planning Board had a July 20 agenda covering several land-use items. A public hearing was scheduled on Special Permit No. 318, a request from Jack Fowler III to operate a home-based meadery at 661 Main Street in the Village district. The board also planned a continuance of the site plan approval public hearing for Paquette Bros. Contracting, an Approval Not Required (ANR) filing for Jeffrey Lamb at 59 and 73 School Street, and an extension request for Special Permit No. 296 for Copart of Connecticut at 600 Old W. Warren Rd. The agenda listed accounts payable of $418.59 and administrative payroll totaling $1,382.84.

Housing Authority: Modernization votes anticipated

The Warren Housing Authority met July 21 with several project decisions on the agenda. Items included approval of a low bidder for Project 318062 to replace parking areas and driveways at 667-1, a design contract approval for Project 318087 (new construction), and a design contract approval for Project 318101, a VUI Unit Turnover for Winthrop Unit #30A. The board also anticipated votes on an acting director bonus and vacancy initiative funding, plus warrants for May, June, and July.

Board of Health: Appointments and appeals

The Board of Health had a July 21 agenda that included a vote to appoint a Health Agent for a one-year term and a public hearing on a Title V local upgrade approval for 777 Coy Hill Rd., specifically a request to reduce the distance between a soil absorption system and seasonal high groundwater. The board also planned to vote on granting Andy Pelletier authority for Title V local upgrades, discuss and vote on pest control contract renewals, and vote on extending a Regional Health Inspector's appointment.

On July 29, the board scheduled a public hearing at the Warren Senior Center, 2252 Main St., West Warren, to consider an appeal of a July 23 order directing that 64 Richardson St. be vacated.

Board of Selectmen: Utility poles and WRAP funding

The Board of Selectmen met July 23 with two public hearings required under Massachusetts law on installing JO utility poles: two poles on Southbridge Road near the Webber Road intersection, and one pole on Southbridge Road Ext. near the Southbridge Road intersection. The agenda also included discussion and a vote on the town's FY27 WRAP funding apportionment, discussion of the Warren Community Elementary School weatherization project, a vote to update Assessor's office hours, and a vote to authorize payment of warrants and bills.

Council on Aging and CDAC

The Council on Aging met July 20 to vote on realigning the board's structure and on the number of signatures required for warrants. No other items were listed.

The Community Development Advisory Committee met July 29 to review updates on Community One Stop for Growth, MVP, and Green Communities grant programs, the Main Street Stair project, potential funding for the Cutter Park project, and CDBG program updates spanning FY22/23, FY24, and FY25, plus discussion of a potential FY27 CDBG application.

Coming up

• **Cemetery Commission, Aug. 4** — Warren Senior Center. Agenda includes reviewing a WWD payment from the FY26 budget, quotes for vine and poison ivy eradication in South Warren, and follow-ups on crack sealing, tree trimming, and a plaque for South Warren Cemetery honoring Mrs. Buck.
• **Board of Selectmen, Aug. 6** — Executive session under G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(1) to discuss a complaint against an employee or official, with a possible vote on executive session minutes. No other public business is scheduled.

Warren boards weigh police hire, sewer permits, and housing projects in busy July stretch

Warren's town boards convened a packed schedule of meetings in early-to-mid July, but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent sessions, only the items listed on each agenda can be reported — not confirmed outcomes. Several consequential votes were anticipated, including a full-time police officer appointment, a sewer connection permit, and a Senior Center HVAC contract amendment.

Board of Selectmen (July 9)

The Board of Selectmen's agenda included several anticipated votes. Ian N. Curtiss was slated for appointment as a full-time police officer at Step 5. The board also planned to vote on a contract amendment with Tighe & Bond for HVAC engineering design and construction at the Senior Center, and on a request to transfer plumbing and gas inspector responsibilities from the Board of Health to the Building Department.

Other agenda items included discussion of a printing error on preliminary real estate tax bills, the Town Administrator's performance evaluation, and authorization of a $500 reimbursement grant to the Quaboag Youth Soccer Club. Year-end budget transfers and a memorandum of understanding with Millbury for a Community Development Block Grant were also listed.

Sewer Commission (July 17)

The Sewer Commission agenda featured a possible vote on a sewer connection permit for 109 East Road, filed by Lone Oak Enterprises, LLC. Members were also scheduled to discuss the planned construction of six duplex houses on Cemetery Road. Additional items included reports on wastewater treatment plant rooftop air conditioning unit replacement, a sludge hauling bid and sulfur dioxide price increase, and discussion of FY2026 fund encumbrance.

Conservation Commission (July 8)

The Conservation Commission scheduled public hearings for a Notice of Intent on Carl Street and for Cemetery Road and Maple Street. Public meetings for Road Drainage Assessments were also listed for Hillside Avenue and for Pulaski St. and Cottage St. The agenda included approval of minutes and bills.

Finance Committee (July 6)

The Finance Committee met to organize, approve minutes, and review line item transfers with a possible vote. The agenda was mostly procedural, with no specific financial details listed. New and old business, public comments, and setting the next meeting date rounded out the agenda.

Coming up

Several meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks:

• **Planning Board (July 20):** Public hearing on Special Permit No. 318 for a home-based meadery at 661 Main Street, filed by Jack Fowler III. The agenda also includes a site plan approval continuance for Paquette Bros. Contracting, an Approval Not Required filing for Jeffrey Lamb at 59 & 73 School Street, an extension request for Special Permit No. 296 (Copart of Connecticut, 600 Old W. Warren Rd.), accounts payable of $418.59, and administrative payroll totaling $1,382.84.
• **Council on Aging (July 20, 10:00 a.m., West Warren):** Votes on realigning the board and on the number of signatures required for warrants.
• **Board of Health (July 21):** Vote to appoint a Health Agent for a one-year term; public hearing on Title V local upgrade approval for 777 Coy Hill Rd.; vote to grant Andy Pelletier authority for Title V local upgrades; discussion and vote on pest control contract renewals; vote to extend the Regional Health Inspector appointment.
• **Housing Authority (July 21):** Votes on modernization projects including parking area replacements (Project 318062), new construction design contract (Project 318087), and unit turnover design contract (Project 318101). Also anticipated: an acting director bonus vote and vacancy initiative funding vote.
• **Board of Selectmen (July 23):** Two public hearings on consent to install utility poles — two JO poles on Southbridge Road near the Webber Road intersection, and one JO pole on Southbridge Road Ext. near the Southbridge Road intersection. Written testimony may be submitted in advance.

Note: All recent meeting summaries are based on agendas only; minutes have not been published. Outcomes of anticipated votes are not yet confirmed.

Warren boards weigh police hire, Senior Center HVAC, and conservation hearings in busy week

Warren's town boards covered a wide range of business in the week of July 6, from a potential new police officer appointment to public hearings on wetlands projects. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the three recent meetings, the items below reflect what was on each agenda — not confirmed outcomes.

Board of Selectmen (July 9)

The Board of Selectmen had the busiest agenda of the week, with several anticipated votes and discussions.

The board was scheduled to vote on appointing Ian N. Curtiss as a full-time police officer at Step 5. An anticipated vote was also listed for a contract amendment with Tighe & Bond for HVAC engineering design and construction at the Senior Center.

Another anticipated vote involved transferring plumbing and gas inspector responsibilities from the Board of Health to the Building Department. The board also planned to discuss a printing error on preliminary real estate tax bills.

A $500 reimbursement grant to the Quaboag Youth Soccer Club was on the agenda for authorization. The meeting also listed year-end budget transfers and a memorandum of understanding with Millbury for a Community Development Block Grant.

Conservation Commission (July 8)

The Conservation Commission scheduled two public hearings and two public meetings on local projects.

A public hearing was set for a Notice of Intent on Carl Street, and a second public hearing covered Cemetery Road and Maple Street. The commission also planned public meetings for Road Drainage Assessments on Hillside Avenue and on Pulaski St. and Cottage St. The agenda included approval of minutes and bills.

Finance Committee (July 6)

The Finance Committee met to organize, approve minutes, and review line item transfers with a possible vote. The agenda also included new and old business, public comments, and setting the next meeting date. No specific financial figures were listed on the agenda.

Coming up

• **Planning Board, July 20** — Public hearing on Special Permit No. 318, a request from Jack Fowler III to operate a home-based meadery at 661 Main Street in the Village district.
• **Board of Selectmen, July 23** — Two public hearings on installing utility poles on Southbridge Road: two JO poles near the Webber Road intersection and one JO pole on Southbridge Road Ext. near the Southbridge Road intersection. Written testimony may be submitted in advance.

All recent meeting agendas are available through the town's official postings. Minutes for the July 6, 8, and 9 meetings had not been published as of this report.

Warren meeting roundup: Boards eyed grants, tobacco rules, sewer permits — but no minutes published yet

Warren's boards and commissions met five times in the last two weeks, covering topics from state grants and tobacco regulations to sewer connections and cemetery maintenance. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so it is not possible to confirm what was actually decided. What follows is based on the published agendas only.

Board of Selectmen — June 23

The Selectmen's agenda listed several votes and appointments. Proposed appointments included Terrance Lanier and Robert Kelleher to the Council on Aging, and Kathleen Odiorne to the Board of Registrar. The board was scheduled to vote on accepting two state grants: a $2,750 DCR grant for the Fire Department and an $8,010 MEMA grant for Emergency Management, both requiring a local match. Contract amendments were on the agenda for the Cutter Park Design Improvement project (GZA) and the River/Central Street Project (Waterfield Design). Youth sports reimbursements of $500 each to Quaboag Youth Baseball and Basketball were listed, along with a $1,000 trust request for baseball. Without published minutes, the outcome of these votes is not confirmed.

Board of Health — June 24

The Board of Health scheduled a public hearing on proposed regulations restricting the sale of tobacco and vape products, covering permits, cigar pricing, a blunt wrap ban, and nicotine pouch restrictions. The agenda also included votes to appoint Caitlin Hertz as Regional Public Health Nurse and Lizzy Ortiz as Community Health Advocate, both through Mill Town Shared Services. Discussion items included contracted health inspector applicants, permit renewals, and a universal waste shed at the transfer station. Whether the hearing was held and the appointments were made cannot be confirmed without minutes.

Community Development Advisory Committee — June 24

The CDAC agenda was informational, with no policy votes or public hearings listed. Members were to receive updates on the Community One Stop for Growth Program, Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) status, Green Communities certification, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) progress for fiscal years 2022 through 2025.

Cemetery Commission — June 25

The Cemetery Commission was scheduled to review its budget and consider encumbering funds for crack sealing of asphalt areas in Pine Grove, plus tree trimming, removal, and clean up. The agenda also included time for public concerns and setting the next agenda.

Sewer Commission — June 25

The Sewer Commission agenda included a sewer connection permit for 109 East Road (Lone Oak Enterprises, LLC), wastewater treatment plant maintenance items including rooftop air conditioning unit replacement and a sludge hauling bid, FY2026 sewer fee abatement requests, and discussion of construction of six duplex houses on Cemetery Road.

Coming up

• **Finance Committee — Monday, July 6:** Review and possible vote on line item transfers. Agenda is mostly procedural.
• **Conservation Commission — Wednesday, July 8:** Public hearings on a Notice of Intent for Carl Street and for Cemetery Road and Maple Street, plus public meetings on road drainage assessments for Hillside Avenue and Pulaski St./Cottage St.
• **Planning Board — Monday, July 20:** Public hearing on Special Permit No. 318, a proposed home-based meadery at 661 Main Street, submitted by Jack Fowler III.

Note: All five recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" in the public record, meaning minutes have not yet been published. Readers should check the town's official postings for confirmed outcomes.

Warren Selectmen Consider Appointments, Grants; Health Board Eyes Tobacco Rules

The Warren Board of Selectmen was scheduled to act on a slate of appointments, grants, and contracts at its June 23 meeting, one of several town boards that advanced business without immediate public accounting of votes, as minutes were not yet published.

Board of Selectmen – June 23

The board was set to vote on appointing Terrance Lanier and Robert Kelleher to the Council on Aging, and Kathleen Odiorne to the Board of Registrar. Two state grants were on the agenda for acceptance: $2,750 from the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the Fire Department, and $8,010 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for Emergency Management—both requiring a local match. Contract amendments for the Cutter Park Design Improvement project with GZA and the River/Central Street project with Waterfield Design awaited authorization. The selectmen also expected to approve $500 reimbursement payments each to Quaboag Youth Baseball and Basketball, and a $1,000 trust request for baseball. Other business included discussion of correspondence.

Board of Health – June 24

The Board of Health held a public hearing on proposed regulations for the sale of tobacco and vape products. The new rules would cover permits, cigar pricing, a blunt wrap ban, and restrictions on nicotine pouches. The board planned to vote afterward, though no outcome was immediately available. Two appointments through Mill Town Shared Services were on the table: Caitlin Hertz as Regional Public Health Nurse and Lizzy Ortiz as Community Health Advocate. Members also discussed contracted health inspector applicants, permit renewals, and a universal waste shed at the transfer station.

Community Development Advisory Committee – June 24

CDAC received informational updates on state programs, including the Community One Stop for Growth Program, Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness initiative, and Green Communities certification. Progress reports on Community Development Block Grant funds for fiscal years 2022 through 2025 were reviewed. No policy votes were taken.

Cemetery Commission – June 25

The commission planned to encumber funds for crack sealing of asphalt in Pine Grove and for tree trimming, removal, and cleanup. A budget review was also on the agenda.

Sewer Commission – June 25

The Sewer Commission was scheduled to consider a connection permit for 109 East Road, submitted by Lone Oak Enterprises, LLC. Other items included replacing a rooftop air conditioning unit at the wastewater treatment plant, a sludge hauling bid, FY2026 sewer fee abatement requests, and construction of six duplex houses on Cemetery Road. General plant maintenance and sludge inspection updates were also expected.

Coming up

The Finance Committee meets July 6 to review and possibly vote on line-item transfers. On July 8, the Conservation Commission will hold public hearings for a Notice of Intent on Carl Street and for Cemetery Road and Maple Street, plus public meetings for Road Drainage Assessments on Hillside Avenue and Pulaski Street/Cottage Street.