Hamilton Gov. Meetings

Hamilton ZBA 10.7.26

Hamilton Planning Board 10.6.26

On October 6, 2026, the Hamilton Planning Board, including Bill Wheaton, Beth Herr, Darcy Dale, Matthew Hamel, Jonathan Poore, Emil Dahlquist, and Marnie Crouch, discussed the draft Conservation Subdivision Design Development Bylaw (Section 8.1), combining open space and farmland preservation with the Estate Overlay District. Key topics included density incentives, minimum lot sizes, open space requirements, yield analysis plan versus formula, developer incentives (senior housing, smaller units, estate house reuse), dimensional standards, and definitions (building footprint, impervious surface, lot coverage, structure). The Board referenced MAPC model codes, case studies, and the senior housing bylaw, and planned further review and road testing of metrics.

Hamilton Select Board 10.5.26

The October 5, 2026 Hamilton Select Board meeting, chaired by Lee McCoy, included updates on board and committee openings (Affordable Housing Trust, Community Preservation Committee, Historic District Commission, Human Rights Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals), and a major presentation by Robert Preston, Hamilton Community Preservation Committee Chair, detailing CPA funding, state match percentages, project eligibility, and current financial constraints due to existing bonds (Sagamore Hill, Town Hall). Tim Olsen, DPW Director, reported on the Town Hall renovation, Bridge Street drainage, and staffing. The board appointed Noah Delli-santi as student representative to the Human Rights Commission, discussed a cemetery plot policy, and reviewed a communications framework by Marissa, including website analytics and branding options. The board supported a $95,000 MassDEP 604B grant for the Tobacco Lake Watershed Association, adopted FY2026-2027 goals (water, Patton Park, regional school agreement, roads, master plan), and discussed allocation of one-time revenues (Gordon-Conwell, cell tower, Patton Homestead, field stabilization fund) for capital projects. Upcoming April 2027 Town Meeting articles include dark skies and e-bike bylaws, regional school district agreement, zoning changes, and water collaboration with Wenham.

Hamilton Select Board 9.28.26

At the September 28th Select Board meeting, Ben Galuza, Lee McCoy, and William Olson discussed committee openings for Affordable Housing Trust, Community Preservation Committee, Conservation Commission, Hamilton Environmental Impact Committee, Historic District Commission, Human Rights Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. Dave Lash of Tobacco Lake and Watershed Association requested support for a state grant to reduce phosphorus from 171 septic systems in Hamilton and Essex, with Essex as lead applicant and an October 7th deadline. Updates included HWRSD strategic plan, FinCom warrant articles, water sources, Human Rights Commission events, Environmental Impact Committee solar projects, and approval of Essex County Trail Association signs for a November 28th event. Colby Cousins presented the North Shore IT Collaborative, detailing fiber optic network, cybersecurity, grant funding, and Hamilton’s $25,000 annual membership. Victoria Duggan was appointed to the Conservation Commission. The board adopted a revised cemetery plot purchase policy, reviewed budget and ATM calendars, and discussed economic development planning and master plan implementation, including potential hiring of a town planner.

Hamilton Planning Board 9.22.26

Jonathan Poore, Bill Wheaton, Jeff Austin, Emil Dahlquist, Valerie Peck, and Marnie Crouch discussed approving August 18, 2026 and September 15 meeting minutes, emphasizing the Dark Sky Bylaw and the need for education over enforcement. The board reviewed amendments to Zoning Bylaw sections 10.3, 5.0, and 9.8.1.4 to comply with recent Massachusetts Chapter 40A legislative changes, and debated updating Section 11 definitions, including terms like general service establishment, open space, lot coverage, impervious surfaces, and building footprint. They also addressed the Groundwater Protection Overlay District, ADU guidelines, parking requirements, master plan implementation, and the adoption of General Code for bylaw consistency.

Hamilton Select Board 9.14.26

On September 14, 2026, the Hamilton Select Board, including Tom Myers, Lee McCoy, Rosie Kennedy, Ben Galuza, and Bill Olson, discussed board and committee openings, approved early voting hours for the November general election, and appointed Ashley Serota, Jean Pagliuca, and Elizabeth Ford to the Hamilton-Wenham Cultural Council and Council on Aging. Chief Edward Guy and Captain Matt Donovan presented Hamilton Police Department traffic enforcement statistics (257 arrests, 72,417 incidents, 5,361 motor vehicle stops, 274 crashes) and discussed issues at Essex and Woodbury intersection. The board reviewed cemetery plot policy revisions, town manager goals, capital planning, facilities assessment, and cybersecurity with the North Shore IT Collaborative.

Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals 9.2.26

On September 2, 2026, the Town of Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), including Bruce Gingrich (chair), Andie Philip, John Green, and town planner Mark Connor, held a Zoom meeting to address an appeal by Mark Pearlstein, co-trustee of the Pearlstein Family Trust, regarding the buildability of lot zero Glendale Ave (Map 54, Lot 49, Hamilton; Map 7, Lot 83, Wenham) under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Sections 6, 7, and 8. Attorney Robert Scarano argued the lot was grandfathered and buildable, but Town Counsel Amy Casel (KP Law) advised the ZBA to deny the appeal without prejudice due to lack of a formal building inspector decision, referencing Costello v. Board of Appeals of Lexington. The board voted to allow withdrawal of the appeal without prejudice and then entered executive session to discuss pending litigation: Construction Management and Builders, Inc. v. Town of Hamilton ZBA, Massachusetts Land Court case 26MISC000305.

Hamilton Select Board 8.31.26

On August 31st, the Hamilton Select Board convened to address a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), with members Rosie Kennedy, Lee McCoy, Ben, and William Olsen present. Candidate John Green, a recent Massachusetts resident with experience at Eurasia Group and in New York co-op boards, was interviewed regarding his background, familiarity with local zoning issues (notably 956 Bay Road), and willingness to serve as either an associate or full member. The board discussed the importance of maintaining a three-member quorum, staggered terms, and legal requirements, ultimately voting unanimously to appoint John Green as associate member through June 30, 2027.

Hamilton Planning Board 8.18.26

The August 18, 2026 Hamilton Planning Board meeting, chaired by Marnie Crouch, addressed approval of August 4, 2026 minutes, with edits regarding ADU guidelines. Andrew Snow of Hamilton Dark Sky and the Select Board advocated for a general dark sky bylaw to address light pollution, with unanimous Select Board support and discussion of enforcement, retroactive compliance, and stakeholder engagement (e.g., police, schools, Pingree School, Gordon Conwell). The board also discussed zoning amendments, reorganizing definitions, groundwater protection, ADU trends, conservation subdivision bylaw revisions (led by Amiel), town center design guidelines, off-street parking updates, and meeting scheduling.

Hamilton Select Board 8.17.26

On August 17, 2026, the Hamilton Select Board—Lee McCoy, Benjamin Galuza, Rosemary Kennedy, William Olson, and Thomas Myers—reviewed voting options for the September 1 state primary, committee openings, capital-planning policy updates, and recent amendments to MGL Chapter 40A, Sections 6 and 10. Town Clerk Corinne Kale discussed early voting and mail-in ballots. Representatives of Hamilton Dark Sky presented a proposed general bylaw addressing light pollution and plans for public engagement. The board appointed Daniel Sullivan as fire chief effective October 1, 2026, and discussed appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission. Other topics included cemetery-plot purchasing rules, possible e-bike regulations, and capital-planning improvements.