Shirley public meetings in 2022
19 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved the site plan for the expansion of the gas station at 12 Front Street, pending revised plans and specific conditions. The board also granted five zoning waivers related to parking, sidewalks, and facilities.
- Approved 12 Front Street gas station site plan pending revised plans and conditions (5-0)
- Approved waiver for parking spaces 4 feet from building walls (5-0)
- Approved waiver for side yard parking 12.5 feet from front elevation (5-0)
- Approved waiver for 4-foot wide walkway and 6-inch curb (5-0)
- Approved waiver for bike rack requirements (4-1)
- Approved waiver for street furniture, trash receptacles, and signage (4-1)
- Approved November 9, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0)
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved variance requests for sheds at 154 and 156 Ayer Road. The variances relate to minimum rear yard setbacks under the Protective Zoning Bylaw.
- Approved variance requests for sheds at 154 & 156 Ayer Road (4-0)
Select Board
The Select Board met on December 15, 2022, and appointed Leah Kalil to the position of Assistant Town Accountant. No other substantive business, reports, or public comments were recorded.
- Appointed Leah Kalil as Assistant Town Accountant (2-0)
Planning Board
The Board approved the removal of two hazardous trees on designated scenic roads at the Town's expense. A site plan review for a gas station at 12 Front Street was continued to a future meeting. The Board also approved a small office supply invoice and noted no objections to garden shed variances.
- Approved removal of maple tree at 51 Center Road and one replacement tree at Town expense (5-0)
- Approved removal of dead ash tree at 31 Parker Road at Town expense (5-0)
- Denied motion to hire independent consultant for 12 Front Street traffic review (3-2)
- Continued 12 Front Street Site Plan Review to December 21, 2022 (5-0)
- Approved WB Mason invoice #234590380 for $37.33 (5-0)
- Approved transmittal stating no objection to rear setback variances for garden sheds at 154 and 156 Ayer Road (5-0)
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors approved several financial warrants, including sewer and trash liens and payroll. The board also signed off on Chapter 61B land classifications and statutory exemption applications. Members agreed to sign the FY2023 Real Estate and Personal Property Warrants once they are prepared.
- Approved Betterment Warrant (1)
- Approved FY2023 Sewer Usage Liens, Trash Liens, and Sewer Betterment/Loan Apportionments
- Approved 2022 MV Excise Abatement Month End Report (November) and Commitment Books 03, 04, 05
- Approved Schedule Bills Payable for Patriot Properties Inc.
- Approved Board of Assessors Payroll
- Approved four CL-2 Chapter 61B Land Classifications
- Approved five Statutory Exemption Applications (Clauses 17D, 22, 22E, 41D)
- Accepted minutes from November 2, 2022 and November 7, 2022 meetings
Conservation Commission
The Commission approved the 2023 application and ground rules for the community garden and issued a Certificate of Compliance for 2 Shaker Road. A public hearing for the MassWildlife Barrens Project was continued to September 2023.
- Approved November 22, 2022 meeting minutes (6-0)
- Approved September 27, 2022 Executive Session minutes (6-0)
- Approved including Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions FY24 Dues ($305.00) in the FY 2024 budget (6-0)
- Approved Certificate of Compliance for 2 Shaker Road (6-0)
- Approved Petition for Continuation for MassWildlife Barrens Project to September 12, 2023 (6-0)
- Approved 2023 Community Garden Application and Ground Rules (6-0)
Select Board
The Select Board scheduled the 2023 Election for May 2 and the Annual Town Meeting for May 8. The board also renewed multiple business licenses and approved several personnel appointments and funding requests.
- Scheduled 2023 Election for Tuesday, May 2, 2023 (3-0)
- Scheduled Annual Town Meeting for Monday, May 8, 2023 (3-0)
- Renewed 13 food, alcohol, and automatic amusement licenses (3-0)
- Renewed Class II/III licenses for various auto businesses, with conditions for Mohawk Village Motors, USA Auto Sales, and Insurance Auto Auctions Corp. by 1/13/2023 (3-0)
- Appointed Logan Bries as Assistant Town Administrator (3-0)
- Appointed Missy Goldberg to the Center Town Hall Committee (3-0)
- Approved $2,098.95 in ARPA funds for police communications upgrades (3-0)
- Approved six treasury warrants totaling $1,240,647.33 (3-0)
Cultural Council
The Council approved a series of grants totaling $9,475 for various arts and cultural programs. Members also reviewed a priorities survey and decided to begin planning a visual arts program for 2024 during the spring meeting.
- Approved 9/8/22 meeting minutes
- Awarded $1,000 to ASRHS Spring Musical
- Awarded $2,000 to First Parish Meeting House Concert Series
- Awarded $700 to Shirley Arts, Inc. for Mural Restoration
- Awarded $650 to Peter Stickel for American Originals from The Nissitissit String Quartet
- Awarded $500 to Groton Hill Music, Inc. for Bach’s Lunch Concert Series
- Awarded $500 to Nashoba Valley Chorale for Wake Up, My Spirit
- Awarded $500 to Programs at Hazen Memorial Library
Transportation Action Committee
The committee reviewed a new traffic plan for Lura White School and discussed truck traffic on Walker Road. Members examined police staffing shortages and the potential for a traffic enforcement officer. No formal votes were taken on policy changes or budget requests.
- Approved October 24th meeting minutes with recommended edits
- Scheduled next meetings for January 9 and 23, 2023
- Tasked Janet Tice to lead the creation of a committee Mission Statement and Goals
Town Clerk
Town voters approved the adoption of the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act, including a 1% real estate tax surcharge. The meeting also resulted in the approval of several funding transfers for sewer repairs, fire department staffing, and union contracts.
- Approved $6,850 transfer for Hospital Road pump station sewer control panel (9/10ths vote)
- Approved adoption of Massachusetts Community Preservation Act and 1% real property surcharge (Majority)
- Approved establishment of a Tax Title Collection Revolving Fund starting July 1, 2023 (Majority)
- Approved re-acceptance of G.L. c. 32B, § 20 for OPEB Trust Fund (Majority)
- Approved appropriation of $57,509.31 for cable expenses and $32,000 for capital improvements (Majority)
- Approved amending General By-Law Section 7.2 to change Council size from nine to five members (Majority)
- Approved funding for Shirley Fire IAFF Local 4358 Union contract via $22,461 and $8,000 transfers (Majority)
- Approved $39,000 from ARPA funds to hire one additional firefighter (Majority)
Conservation Commission
The Commission approved a project for a single-family dwelling at 116 Squalinacook Road and voted to support the Community Preservation Act with exemptions. They also approved an increase in agent hours for property boundary work and canceled the December 27 meeting.
- Approved Order of Conditions for single-family dwelling at 116 Squalinacook Road (6-0)
- Approved FY 2024 budget request to increase CC Agent hours up to 4 hours per week for boundary marking (6-0)
- Voted to support passage of the Community Preservation Act with exemptions (4-0)
- Approved October 25, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Canceled the December 27, 2022 meeting (6-0)
- Tabled Bob Burkhardt memorial plaque discussion
Historical Commission
The committee approved the minutes from the November 3 meeting. Members reviewed and edited a PowerPoint summary of the report based on public feedback. The Select Board previously voted to favorably support Article 2 for Community Preservation Act (CPA) adoption.
- Approved November 3 meeting minutes
- Edited PowerPoint summary of the report based on public feedback
Planning Board
The Planning Board voted to support the adoption of the Community Preservation Act, which includes a proposed 1% property tax surcharge. The Board also approved a final draft of the Town Trees and Stone Walls Bylaw with specific revisions. A public hearing for 12 Front Street was continued to December 14, 2022.
- Supported adoption of the Community Preservation Act (4-0)
- Approved final draft of Town Trees and Stone Walls Bylaw with revisions (4-0)
- Continued 12 Front Street Site Plan Review public hearing to December 14, 2022 (4-0)
- Approved October 12, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Approved October 26, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
Historical Commission
The committee approved the minutes from October 13 and October 27. Members edited a PowerPoint summary of their report based on public feedback. The committee decided to meet the week of November 14th to plan the presentation of facts to the town meeting and schedule information sessions.
- Approved October 13 meeting minutes
- Approved October 27 meeting minutes
- Decided to hold a meeting the week of November 14th to discuss town meeting presentation and information sessions
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors approved several tax exemptions and land classification applications. The board voted to set the FY2023 Overlay amount for the Tax Rate Recap. Members discussed a discrepancy in recorded plans for Hazen Road parcels.
- Set FY2023 Overlay amount at $150,000
- Approved 7 Solar Exemption Applications
- Approved Statutory Exemption Applications Clause 17D, 37A, 41D, 22, and 22E
- Approved CL-2 Chapter 61A Land Classification Approvals
- Approved CL-2 Chapter 61B Land Classification Approvals
- Approved Betterment Warrant (1)
- Approved 2020 & 2022 MV Excise Abatement Month End Report — October
- Approved FY2023 LA3 Interim Year Adjustment Report and Certification Valuation Summary Sheet
Select Board
The Select Board approved the use of ARPA funds for fire department equipment and authorized the sale of surplus DPW equipment. The board also appointed a new police officer and approved several treasury warrants.
- Appointed Emily Vincent as Police Officer (3-0)
- Approved $60,385 in ARPA funds for Fire Department fire hoses (3-0)
- Approved sale of nine pieces of surplus DPW equipment via Municibid (3-0)
- Approved Treasury Warrant PRW 23-8 for $111,596.21 (3-0)
- Approved Treasury Warrant PRW23-7 for $111,562.81 (3-0)
- Approved Treasury Warrant W23-20 for $2,180.09 (3-0)
- Approved Treasury Warrant W23-20 NO CHECK for $523.93 (3-0)
- Approved Treasury Warrant W23-21 for $679,280.96 and $14,789.11 (3-0)
Historical Commission
The Community Preservation Act Study Committee voted to recommend including low income and low to moderate senior income exemptions in the warrant article. Members reviewed a PowerPoint summary of the report and scheduled a follow-up meeting for November 3.
- Voted to change final report recommendation to support adding low income and low to moderate senior income exemptions to the warrant article (3-0)
- Tabled October 13 meeting minutes
- Scheduled next meeting for November 3
Conservation Commission
The Commission approved certificates of compliance for two properties and a two-year license agreement for Longley Acres. A public hearing for a new dwelling at 116 Squannacook Road was continued to November 22, 2022.
- Approved October 11, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Approved $25 family membership for Friends of the Assabet, Oxbow and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuges (6-0)
- Continued public hearing for 116 Squannacook Road to November 22, 2022 (6-0)
- Approved Certificate of Compliance for 3 Catacunemaug Road (6-0)
- Approved partial Certificate of Compliance for 62 Benjamin Road (6-0)
- Voted to satisfy remediation and request RCOC for 44 Horse Pond Road (5-1)
- Approved 2-year license agreement for Longley Acres House & Barn / Hay Fields (6-0)
- Approved Invitation to Bid letter and Proposal for Mowing Fields without $300 bond (6-0)
Transportation Action Committee
The Shirley Traffic Advisory Committee discussed the MRPC Traffic Study, sidewalk safety, and trucking activity from Little Leaf Farms and the Devens Wastewater Treatment Facility. No formal decisions or votes were taken; the meeting was primarily informational and ended with a unanimous vote to adjourn.
- No substantive decisions were made; the meeting was procedural and discussion-only