The board unanimously approved the appointment of Eric M. Bernstein and Associates LLC as the board attorney, a role Bernstein has held for 26 years. During the public comment session, a property owner, Maria Janusk, questioned the transparency of the selection process, asking whether a list of applicants was publicly available. It was clarified that Bernstein was the sole applicant for the position, and his long-standing tenure with the board was highlighted. Janusk also inquired about the appointment of other professionals, including the board engineer. The board confirmed the selection of Penoni Associates as the board engineer, citing their top score in the selection process. These appointments were ratified through a fair and open process.

The board’s handling of these appointments reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that professional roles are filled through a methodical and open process, even as public skepticism about transparency persists. Janusk’s inquiries extended to the designation of official newspapers for public notices, which include the Beacon and Tap Into, as well as the hiring of an affordable housing attorney. The board clarified that the affordable housing attorney role, held by Bernstein, was distinct from the planning board attorney position.

In another significant agenda item, the board discussed and approved the adjournment of two applications. The application from Dukes Parkway East LLC and Crane Farm LLC was adjourned to March 12, 2026, without further notice, a procedural decision that means no additional notifications will be issued for this application. Similarly, the application from Sukdev and Ruchica Angress was adjourned to March 5, 2026, with an extension for decision-making until March 31, 2026. This application has seen multiple extensions, primarily due to unresolved issues, including stormwater management concerns raised by a neighboring property owner. The board noted that the Angress application had been extended three times previously.

Beyond these applications, the meeting included the ratification of several resolutions, such as the adoption of the 2026 meeting schedule. The board ensured that the proposed schedule did not conflict with any holidays, facilitating consistent planning and attendance. A resolution was passed to extend a professional service agreement with TNM Associates, supporting ongoing compliance matters. The board also dealt with the appointment of an alternate board engineer, deciding on Center State Engineering for this role.

The board also focused on maintaining consistency in its master plan subcommittee, following the resignation of Pat Smith. The chairman’s election saw John Chikarelli chosen to lead the board for the year. Similarly, the board expressed a desire to retain existing subcommittee members, emphasizing the importance of consistency as the master plan progresses. While a replacement for the alternate position was sought, Chikarelli’s role as chair of the master plan subcommittee was seen as a step toward sustaining the planning process’s momentum.

As the meeting drew to a close, the board approved the draft of the 2025 Planning Board annual report, which will summarize applications from the previous year and highlight board member attendance and participation.