Hamilton Gov. Meetings – Page 2 – HWCAM
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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.

Hamilton ZBA 8.5.26

At the August 5, 2026 Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals Zoom meeting, Bruce Gingrich (chair), Andrea Philip, and Steven Derocher reviewed a special-permit application from Luxurious Homes LLC for 21 Beach Street and 0 Lakeshore Avenue, owned by Tobacco Park LLC. The board approved a new two-story, three-bedroom home with reduced impervious area and a three-bedroom deed restriction. Attorney Charlie Clapp presented the project. The board also discussed membership changes, approved the June 3, 2026 minutes, and received a legal update from Robin Stein of KP Law on recent Massachusetts zoning-law changes affecting variances and nonconforming structures. The board then entered executive session regarding Construction Management and Builders, Inc. v. Town of Hamilton ZBA, Massachusetts Land Court case 26 MISC 000305 DRR.

Hamilton Planning Board 8.4.26

On August 4, 2026, the Hamilton Planning Board approved previous meeting minutes with corrections concerning driveway-zoning compliance and heard a presentation on the Asbury Commons affordable-housing lottery administered by Harborlight Homes. The 45-unit, fully affordable development on Asbury Street includes local-preference and accessible units and incorporates passive-house and climate-resilient design. The board also reviewed proposed master-plan and zoning initiatives, including a dark-sky bylaw presented by Andrew Snow and Kathy Simons, updates to zoning definitions, conservation-subdivision provisions, accessory-dwelling-unit guidelines, and an upcoming North Shore housing discussion.

Hamilton Select Board 8.3.26

On August 3, 2026, Hamilton Select Board members Thomas Myers, Rosemary Kennedy, and Lee McCoy discussed openings on town boards and committees, including the Affordable Housing Trust, Conservation Commission, and Human Rights Commission. DPW Director Tim Olson provided an update on the Casella recycling-program rollout, challenges facing downtown businesses, and possible shared cardboard dumpsters. The board approved FY27 senior tax-exemption limits, reviewed revisions to the cemetery-plot purchasing policy, and discussed using one-time proceeds from the Gordon-Conwell sale, cell-tower lease, and Patton Homestead sale for capital projects such as Patton Park and downtown revitalization. The board also addressed development of an e-bike bylaw and playground-safety concerns.

Hamilton Planning Board 7.21.26

The July 21, 2026 Hamilton Planning Board meeting, chaired by Marnie Crouch, included members Jonathan Poore, Emil Dahlquist, Darcy Dale, Matt Hamel, Jeff Austin, and Valerie Peck. The board approved the June 2 and June 16, 2026 minutes with corrections and held a public hearing on Tyler and Megan Swaim’s application to alter a stone wall along scenic Asbury Street for a driveway curb cut at 180 Asbury Street. After discussing safety, accessibility, and alternatives, the board approved the application with conditions and considered the need for a scenic-road bylaw. The board also discussed adding a dark-sky bylaw study to the master plan, referencing regulations in Chelmsford and Nantucket, as well as zoning-bylaw updates, accessory-dwelling-unit guidelines, and recent state-law changes affecting variances.

Hamilton Select Board 7.20.26

Rosemary Kennedy chaired the July 20, 2026 Hamilton Select Board meeting. The board discussed openings on the Affordable Housing Trust, Conservation Commission, Council on Aging, Community Preservation Committee, Historic District Commission, Environmental Impact Committee, and Human Rights Commission. Bill Waller invited the board to Leon Puritan’s 100th-birthday celebration on August 6 at the Wenham Senior Center. Updates included a $24,000 Council on Aging grant, approval of the July 6 meeting minutes, and Town Clerk Corinne Kale’s presentation on poll workers and the state primary. Mark Connors and Anna Cizik reviewed Harborlight Homes’ lottery process for Asbury Commons, a 45-unit affordable development with local-preference and accessible units, climate-resilient features, and anticipated occupancy in April 2027. Finance Director Wendy Markowitz reported on trust, stabilization, and special-revenue funds, including ARPA, opioid-settlement, and PFAS proceeds. The board also discussed cemetery-plot eligibility, sign regulations, and commercial recycling and trash pickup.

Hamilton Select Board 7.6.26

The meeting addressed multiple board and committee openings in Hamilton, including the Affordable Housing Trust, Conservation Commission, Community Preservation Committee, Historic District Commission, Human Rights Commission, and Council on Aging. Tim Olson (DPW) and Jack Manning (Casella Waste) detailed the July 1st rollout of Hamilton’s automated recycling, trash, and compost program, including 96-gallon bins, contamination rates, and operational changes. The Selectboard appointed Jennifer Abel as associate member of the Finance and Advisory Committee and Valerie Peck as alternate member of the Planning Board, highlighting their qualifications and community involvement.

Hamilton Select Board 6.29.26

Key entities discussed include Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich River Watershed, EPA, PFAS, $1.1 million federal grant, $8-12 million Wenham water treatment plant estimate, Town Hall, Memorial Room, AV system, elevator, Patent Homestead, Patent Foundation, Central Register, school district regional agreement, capital planning policy, Environmental Impact Committee, North Shore Art Collaborative, New England Biolabs, e-bike regulations, dark sky bylaw, and sidewalk improvements. Major themes are water infrastructure (interconnection, PFAS compliance, second water source), Town Hall renovation and digitization, regionalization, economic development, capital planning, public communication, and safety bylaws.

Hamilton Planning Board 6.16.26

* Review and Approve Planning Board Minutes (May 5, May 19, and May 26, 2026) * Miles River Middle School Solar Canopy Project (Continued Public Hearing) * Town Center Code Implementation Workshop with Utile Associates * Adjournment