Wenham Gov. Meetings – Page 2

Wenham Select Board 8.25.26

The Wenham Select Board—including Gary Cheeseman, Peter Clay, Benjamin Tymann, and Deirdre Pierotti—met on August 25, 2026, to evaluate progress on its fiscal year 2026 goals and establish priorities for fiscal year 2027. Discussions covered implementation of the master plan; the Iron Rail best-use study; economic development and downtown revitalization studies; MBTA Communities zoning; the Affordable Housing Trust; financial software and policies; succession planning; PFAS water treatment; and the appointment of an AI liaison. The board emphasized transparency, support for departmental initiatives, and alignment of its goals with the master plan. It also addressed property disposition, social services, and records retention.

Wenham Planning Board 8.12.26

The Wenham Planning Board met on August 12, 2026, and continued the Select Energy Iron Rail project hearing to September 9, 2026. The board reviewed updates to the subdivision regulations, including statutory-consistency edits, and examined recent changes to Massachusetts zoning law involving Chapter 40Y starter-home zoning, variance standards, and notification procedures. Members also discussed the Penguin Hall bankruptcy auction scheduled for September 2, 2026. Additional topics included possible redevelopment of the Iron Rail property for housing, commercial, recreational, and solar uses; MBTA Communities Act compliance; Boulder Lane access issues; and potential technical assistance for new zoning bylaws.

Wenham Select Board 8.11.26

On August 11, 2026, the Wenham Select Board heard concerns from Boulders residents about possible noise from proposed pickleball courts and a skate park at Pingree Park. The board approved Michael Burke’s appointment as a firefighter for 2026–2027, appointed election officers, and approved fall election procedures, including polling for Precinct 1 at Town Hall and Precinct 1A at the Wenham Museum, along with early-voting hours. Margaret Hoffman presented a $73,800 contract with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council for an Affordable Housing Trust Action Plan, supported by a $25,000 grant. Kate Mallory and Town Administrator Steve Poulos presented the Iron Rail working group’s hybrid recommendation: a commercial and recreational ground lease for one site, retention of the soccer fields, and sale of another site for varied housing, potentially using Chapter 40Y starter-home zoning. The board scheduled a public forum for September 17, 2026, to gather additional community input.

Wenham Open Space & Rec. 8.11.26

On August 11, 2026, the Wenham Open Space and Recreation Committee, led by Vice Chair Ann Weeks with Land Use Director Kate Mallory, discussed the future of the Pingree Park tennis-court area. The committee reviewed earlier survey results and recent public input, including concerns from residents of the Boulders about noise, traffic, and property boundaries. Members reviewed existing recreational facilities, planned a more detailed community survey and a September 2026 community event, and discussed Community Preservation Act funding deadlines, including an October 15 pre-application deadline and a December 3 final deadline. Boulders residents opposed pickleball and skate-park options because of potential noise and the town’s noise regulations.

Wenham Select Board 7.21.26

On July 21, 2026, the Wenham Select Board met jointly with the Historic District Commission and the Finance & Advisory Committee. Topics included the Route 1A traffic improvement project, trash contract updates, Sharon Ivey’s appointment to the Wenham Housing Authority, Sundays in Patton Park, Patrick Crockett’s Eagle Court of Honor, a proposed demolition-delay bylaw for the 2027 Annual Town Meeting, and an update to the historic district guidelines. The board and Finance Committee also discussed FY27 financial priorities, including health insurance, fire and ambulance services, Iron Rail, free cash, vendor insurance requirements, Community Preservation Committee signage, and the disposition of town-owned land. The board additionally considered a film-permit request for 36 Topsfield Road and the applicable zoning and Zoning Board of Appeals procedures.

Wenham Planning Board 7.8.26

The Wenham Planning Board met at Wenham Town Hall and via Zoom on July 8, 2026, to discuss Select Energy’s petition for a large-scale solar installation at 91 Grapevine Road on the Iron Rail property. Key issues included National Grid’s conditional approval, proposed site-plan changes, and the timing of the decommissioning bond. Pending a complete application and further analysis, the board continued the hearing to August 12, 2026. The board also endorsed an updated Approval Not Required plan for 7–9 Maple Street involving Greenbelt and One Tree LLC and reviewed edits to the subdivision regulations.

Wenham Select Board 7.7.26

On July 7, 2026, the Wenham Select Board discussed municipal operations, school planning, recreation proposals, and FY27 priorities. Town Administrator Steve Poulos provided updates on the Casella Waste Management contract, new recycling totes, the Route 1A traffic project, state economic-development legislation, and the town audit. Superintendent Eric Tracy presented the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District’s draft five-year strategic plan, emphasizing facilities, communication, academic excellence, digital infrastructure, and an AI strategy. The board heard concerns from the Boulders Condominium Trust about possible noise from proposed pickleball courts and a skate park at Pingree Park. Other business included vendor-insurance policy revisions, opioid-settlement funding for police training, recognition of Wenham as a Purple Heart Community, Community Preservation Committee project signage, FY27 financial priorities, and vacancies on town boards and committees.

Wenham Open Space & Rec. Committee 7.7.26

The Wenham Open Space and Recreation Committee met virtually on July 7, 2026. Participants included Chair Ernest Ashley, Tom Starr, Lou Randazzo, and Guenther Anger. The committee approved prior meeting minutes, discussed signage for West Wenham Park, and reviewed suggested park amenities. Community input focused on possible uses for the Pingree Park tennis-court area, including tennis, pickleball, a skate park, and enclosed mini soccer. Residents raised concerns about property boundaries and potential noise from pickleball courts or a skate park. The committee scheduled its next meeting for August 11, 2026.

Wenham ZBA 7.6.26

Chair Richard Modliszewski convened the Wenham Zoning Board of Appeals’ virtual meeting on July 6, 2026, with members Kelly Schmidt and Aimee Bois Cooper participating. Representatives of Gordon College presented site plans for the approximately 15,000-square-foot Adams Center for Music and an ADA restroom expansion at the Lane Student Center. Discussion covered stormwater peer review by Weston & Sampson, dark-sky lighting compliance, Conservation Commission review, proposed building-permit conditions, and the construction schedule. The board unanimously approved both projects subject to the stated conditions.

Wenham ZBA 6.24.26

Margaret Hoffman, Wenham town planner, confirmed on June 24th, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. that no Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) members were present, resulting in no quorum. The ZBA will continue the Gordon College Adams Music Center public hearing on Tuesday, July 6th, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., with the agenda posted 48 hours in advance.