{
 "city": "Townsend",
 "state": "MA",
 "page": "https://mytown.theboringparts.com/city/rz-townsendma.gov/",
 "attribution": "MyTown / The Boring Parts — CC BY 4.0. Summaries AI-generated from official sources.",
 "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
 "generated": "2026-08-05",
 "upcoming": [],
 "recent": [
  {
   "date": "2026-07-16",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": "Town sets dates for special election to fill two Select Board seats",
   "summary": "This document lists key dates for the 2026 election cycle, including a Town Special Election on October 6 to fill two new Select Board seats. It also provides deadlines for candidate nomination papers, voter registration, and mail-in ballots for the State Primary (September 1) and State Election (November 3). The agenda is purely informational and procedural, with no decisions or discussions scheduled.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Board%20of%20Registrars/2026/Packet%20-%20Registrars%207-16-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": null,
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-07-09",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": "Townsend Historic District Commission to review Stewart’s Florist sign change",
   "summary": "The Townsend Historic District Commission will review an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to modify the sign at Stewart’s Florist on the Common. The applicant proposes replacing the current white and pink painted wood sign with a blackened green wood sign featuring gold serifed text and a floral design, adjusting its size and positioning.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Historic%20District%20Commission/2026/HDC%20Application%20-%20252%20Main%20St%206-24-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": null,
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-06-25",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": "Townsend Historic District Commission reviews building plans for 401 Main Street",
   "summary": "The Townsend Historic District Commission will review an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to submit building plans for a property at 401 Main Street. The meeting will consider whether the proposed exterior changes comply with local historic district rules under Massachusetts General Law 40C.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Historic%20District%20Commission/2026/HDC%20Application%20-%20401%20Main%20St%206-11-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": null,
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-06-18",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Community%20Preservation/2026/Minutes%20-%20Community%20Preservation%206-18-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-06-16",
   "body": "Joint Meeting with Select Board Revision 1",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Housing%20Authority/2026/Minutes%20-%20Housing%20Authority%206-16-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-06-08",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": "Planning Board to vote on continuing Seaver Road hearing to July 13",
   "summary": "The Planning Board will consider a request from the applicant, LAND DESIGN COLLABORATIVE on behalf of Belvidere Capital LLC, to continue the public hearing for the Form C Definitive Plan and Stormwater Management Application for the “Seaver Road Extension” project from June 8, 2026 to July 13, 2026. The applicant also proposes extending the board’s decision deadline to July 27, 2026 under M.G.L. Chapter 41, §81-U.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Planning%20Board/2026/Planning%20Board%20Request%20and%20Grant%20of%20Extension%20-%200%20Seaver%20Road%206-1-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": null,
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-27",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Conservation%20Restriction%20Committee/2026/Minutes%20-%20Conservation%20Restriction%205-27-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-26",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Cultural%20Council/2026/Minutes%20-%20Cultural%205-26-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-21",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Community%20Preservation/2026/Minutes%20-%20Community%20Preservation%205-21-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-20",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Council%20on%20Aging/2026/Minutes%20-%20Council%20on%20Aging%205-20-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-14",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Historic%20District%20Commission/2026/Minutes%20-%20HDC%205-14-26%20(stamped).pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-14",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Conservation%20Restriction%20Committee/2026/Minutes%20-%20Conservation%20Restriction%205-14-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-13",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Conservation%20Commission/Minutes/2026/Minutes%20-%20Conservation%20Commission%205-13-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-11",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Planning%20Board/2026/Minutes%20-%20Planning%20Board%205-11-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-07",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Select%20Board/Minutes/2026/Minutes%20-%20Select%20Board%205-7-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-06",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Energy%20Committee/2026/Minutes%20-%20Energy%205-6-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-05",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Select%20Board/Minutes/2026/Minutes%20-%20Select%20Board%205-5-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-05",
   "body": "Annual Town Meeting",
   "headline": "Town voters to decide $1.3M in new spending and zoning changes",
   "summary": "The Townsend Annual Town Meeting will decide on a $1.3 million spending package, including road repairs, public safety equipment, and zoning amendments. Residents will also vote on several capital projects and fee adjustments.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Town%20Meeting/2026/ATM%20STM%205-5-26/ATM%205-5-26%20-%20Full%20Voter%20Information%20Packet.pdf",
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Town%20Meeting/2026/ATM%20STM%205-5-26/ATM%20STM%205-5-26%20-%20Minutes.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-04",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": "Planning Board to hear petition to ease marijuana zoning restrictions",
   "summary": "The Townsend Planning Board will hold a public hearing on May 4, 2026, to consider three citizen-petitioned amendments to the Zoning Bylaws regarding medical marijuana treatment centers and cultivation. The proposals would reduce the required buffer zone from 500 feet to 100 feet, allow such facilities in the Outlying Commercial District in addition to Industrial, and remove the requirement that cultivation occur within a building and the statement that it is not an agricultural use. The board will take public comment before deciding whether to place these articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Planning%20Board/2026/Packet%20-%20Planning%20Board%205-4-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Planning%20Board/2026/Minutes%20-%20Planning%20Board%205-4-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-04",
   "body": "Legal",
   "headline": "Planning Board to hear petition to relax marijuana buffer and district rules",
   "summary": "The Townsend Planning Board will hold a public hearing on May 4, 2026, to consider three citizen-petitioned amendments to the Zoning Bylaws regarding medical marijuana facilities. The proposals would reduce the required buffer zone from 500 feet to 100 feet, allow such facilities in the Outlying Commercial District in addition to Industrial, and remove the requirement that cultivation occur within a building and the statement that it is not an agricultural use. The board will take public comment before deciding whether to place these articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Planning%20Board/2026/Packet%20-%20Planning%20Board%205-4-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": null,
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-05-04",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": "Voter residency challenge filed against Joseph Z. Shank",
   "summary": "The Board of Registrars will consider a sworn residency challenge filed by Maryjane Churchville against voter Joseph Z. Shank, alleging he does not meet Massachusetts domicile requirements. The challenge cites Shank's sale of his primary Townsend residence, maintenance of homes in Florida and New Hampshire, and possible non-resident tax status. The board must investigate, provide notice and a hearing, and determine Shank's voter eligibility.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Board%20of%20Registrars/2026/Packet%20-%20Registrars%205-4-26.pdf",
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Board%20of%20Registrars/2026/Minutes%20-%20Registrars%205-4-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-04-29",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Zoning%20Board/2026/Minutes%20-%20ZBA%204-29-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-04-28",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Select%20Board/Minutes/2026/Minutes%20-%20Select%20Board%204-28-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-04-28",
   "body": "Revised",
   "headline": "Townsend Board of Health proposes new solid waste and recycling hauler regulations",
   "summary": "The Townsend Board of Health is proposing a draft regulation establishing rules for private haulers collecting solid waste and recyclables in town. The regulation would require permits, annual renewals, bundled recycling service for residential customers, and compliance with Massachusetts waste ban laws. A public hearing or vote on adoption is not yet scheduled; the effective date is listed as TBD.",
   "agenda_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Board%20of%20Health/Minutes/2026/Packet%20-%20Health%204-28-26.docx",
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Board%20of%20Health/Minutes/2026/Minutes%20-%20Health%204-28-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-04-28",
   "body": "Meeting",
   "headline": null,
   "summary": null,
   "agenda_url": null,
   "minutes_url": "https://www.townsendma.gov/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Cultural%20Council/2026/Minutes%20-%20Cultural%20Council%204-28-26.pdf",
   "source": "https://www.townsendma.gov/government/agendas_and_minutes.php"
  }
 ]
}