Townsend Planning Board Deliberates Project Delays and Permit Extensions

Overview: The Townsend Planning Board’s recent meeting was marked by intense deliberation surrounding significant project delays, a contested engineering rework, and the extension of a special permit. The board faced challenges with a contracted engineer’s work on a site plan that contained mistakes, necessitating a comprehensive re-submission of documents for review, and debated the merits of extending a special permit for a building project.

Townsend Select Board Tackles Budget and Appointments

Overview: The Townsend Select Board meeting addressed several issues, with the most significant being the discussion about the fiscal year 2025 budget, which included the North Middlesex Regional School District’s decision to lower their assessment to Townsend by $629,500. This prompted a debate on the possibility of a reduced override and the need to balance the budget through cuts. The board decided to hold a special town meeting on August 20th to discuss revised budgets, ultimately voting to do so without proposing another override vote.

Townsend Commission Discusses Historic Preservation Amid Controversy

Overview: The latest meeting of the Townsend Historic District Commission focused on the issues of member appointments, training compliance, and the internal communication procedures, reflecting broader concerns over historic preservation in the township. The commission discussed the reappointment of members and the need for clarity in communication with other town committees and the public.

Townsend Conservation Commission Deliberates Septic System and Retaining Wall Repairs

Overview: In a recent Townsend Conservation Commission meeting, discussions centered around the environmental impact of a septic system replacement on Emory Road and the need for repairs to a failing retaining wall along Vitton Pond Bank. The commission grappled with detailed considerations for erosion control, the implications of construction within a 100-foot buffer zone, and the structural integrity of infrastructure affecting residential properties and the surrounding environment.

Townsend Historic District Commission Grapples with Alleged Open Meeting Law Violations

Overview: The Townsend Historic District Commission recently addressed a series of issues, with a focus on allegations of open meeting law violations and the commission’s operational procedures. Members of the commission were confronted with a letter from the board of selectmen accusing them of failing to comply with open meeting laws, sparking a debate about the allegations and the importance of an upcoming ethics and open meeting law review. The commission discussed whether the training was necessary, with opinions split between concerns over cost and the need for proper education to avoid future infractions.