WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE – 10/07/26

SELECT BOARD 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Select Board addressed the following: 

Budget Message. The board voted 4-1 to approve a budget message warning of a projected $5.7 million deficit for FY28, and request that departments submit level-funded budgets. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus stressed that the budget process is just beginning and information regarding free cash and other certifications will not be available until later in the fall. Without improvement, the town could face service cuts, staff reductions, or potentially a property tax override. The School Committee cautioned that level funding would result in major cuts to the schools because of contractual costs, with massive teacher layoffs, increased class sizes, and a reduction in services. 

STM warrant approved, The board also unanimously approved the October 26th Special Town Meeting warrant, which contains 26 articles, including 19 citizens’ petitions. As to a number of the citizens’ petitions whose legality or enforceability has been questioned, it was explained that they would be considered nonbinding resolutions. The board voted to recommend approval for several financial articles (Articles 2-5 and 7) but declined to recommend a proposed townwide sidewalk master plan because no dollar amount was specified, and recommended no action on a drainage repair article for Hawthorne Lane because the town has already prioritized funding for the work for FY28.

Select Board confronts $5.7M deficit in FY 28 budget message, signs STM warrant (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/07/26) 

Economic development plan. The board also heard a presentation on a town economic development plan, prepared by the Massachusetts Area Planning Council, which recommended retaining businesses, attracting new commercial development, improving public transportation, and promoting tourism, particularly around South Street. Questions were raised as to whether the Economic Development Advisory Board had been adequately involved in reviewing the lengthy plan. Following a heated discussion on the issue, the board voted 4-0-1 to authorize the town manager to begin the process of developing a job description for an economic development director. There are sufficient funds in the town meals tax fund for this position. Approval of the economic development plan may follow at a later meeting, after further review and discussion. 

Select Board member raises issue with economic development plan (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/07/26)

Amazon drone deliveries. The board unanimously agreed to contact state and federal officials and work with neighboring communities to oppose Amazon’s planned drone delivery operation from Westborough. Residents have raised concerns about noise, privacy, safety, environmental effects, and frequent flights. The town itself cannot regulate the airspace, as that authority rests with the FAA. 

Other business. In other business, the board praised Town Manager Lazarus in her strong annual performance review, scoring a 3.63 out of 4; unanimously approved purchasing the former Carbone’s Restaurant property for $1.8 million, with plans to use it for a water pump station connected to the proposed MWRA water system; and approved the appointments of Kevin Sager and Derek Mendes as new police officers and Caroline Schroeder to the Board of Library Trustees.

Select Board proposes opposition campaign against Amazon drone deliveries (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/07/26) 

PLANNING BOARD

At a hearing on Monday, the Planning Board addressed a proposed amendment to a previously approved site plan for the Solect Energy office property at 87 Hayden Rowe Street, whereby the property owner wants to convert 1,200 square feet of the rear building into office space and change the garage to storage, with a minor parking adjustment. The board considered the town’s continued request for a peer review of the rear building, following a heated debate, with the development team arguing that inspections had already been performed and that the rear building changes sought were routine. Town officials maintained that they had not received or verified certain as-built plans, while the developer said the plans had been submitted but apparently misplaced. The board ultimately voted 4–3 to waive the peer review, however, because a majority of five was required, the decision will be reconsidered at the October 19th meeting.

Planning Board continues hearing on Hayden Rowe office building as confusion over peer review request persists (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/06/26) 

In other business, the board also met jointly with the Select Board to discuss how to evaluate and provide informed recommendations for accepting private ways as town roads. A comprehensive presentation by the Planning Board chair informed that there are 51 private ways and 26 ancient ways with no record of town acceptance that could be be affected, which collectively cover 14 miles, adding an approximately 13% increase to the town’s mileage. It was noted that plowing the 77 private ways could cost approximately $113,00 per year, while plowing and maintenance could amount to an estimated $433,000. Bringing these roads up to current standards for town acceptance was given a very general estimate range of $1.27 million to $28.2 million. Due to the expense, Select Board members noted that road acceptance would likely need to happen gradually and in groups, rather than all at once. Members emphasized that the DPW is already underfunded, raising questions about whether the town should accept more roads before addressing existing maintenance needs. The boards will work on criteria for prioritizing which roads, if any, should be accepted, considering road conditions, resident needs, costs, and broader town priorities.

Planning Board, Select Board discuss street acceptance policy for private ways (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/06/26) 

CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Charter Review Committee held a public forum last Wednesday to address proposed charter revisions as it prepares its recommendations to be voted on at Annual Town Meeting in May 2027. The CRC will present its initial report at the October 26th Special Town Meeting. The committee urged residents to think of the proposed revisions in terms of future impact rather than judging by their opinions of current public servants. Proposed revisions addressed included: expanding the Board of Health from three to five members (opposed by current board members); limiting Select Board approval of hires to department heads (drawing opposition from the Select Board chair speaking as a resident); changing the one at-large CPC position to an elected role rather than appointed (opposed by the CPC chair); updating the defunct town planner position; revising recall rules for elected officials; renaming the Appropriation Committee the Finance Committee; changing the town clerk position to an appointed position rather than elected; creating a charter article for the DPW; and changing the Cemetery Commission structure from an elected body to an appointed one.

Charter Review Committee urges participants to think long term at public forum (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 10/01/26) 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

At its meeting last Tuesday, the Conservation Commission addressed a reported stormwater management violation at the Charleswood School project site following the weekend storm with heavy rains. Vertex project manager Chris Elberly disputed the cause of the silty runoff found in a nearby pond, noting that it was the location of a previous breach almost a year ago, and noted the construction team’s storm preparation efforts. He did inform about a separate breach, caused by a pump failure during the storm. The team will investigation, potentially update the stormwater pollution prevention plan, and correct any permit violations. 

In other business, the commission voted to continue its review of a DPW proposed culvert replacement project intended to address flooding, safety, and stormwater problems off Granite Street. More information, including a flood contingency plan, will be provided at the October 20th meeting. The commission also approved a notice of intent by Agilitas Energy to repair an earthen dam off Frankland Road, and continued hearings on the mosque redevelopment at 115 Wood Street, Sandy Beach parking improvements, and soil testing at North Mill Street.

Conservation Commission addresses stormwater management violation at Charleswood School site (Article by Mary Ellen Gambon, 09/30/26) 

REMINDER: SPECIAL TOWN MEETING 

Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM.