Middleborough boards weighed water borrowing, dam contract, and surf park hearings — but no decisions are confirmed yet
Middleborough's boards and committees covered a wide range of business over the past two weeks, from a proposed $7.5 million water facility loan to public hearings on a large surf park off East Grove Street. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so no votes or decisions can be confirmed from the available record. What follows is what each body was scheduled to take up.
Select Board — July 20
The Select Board's agenda included a vote on borrowing $7,500,000 from the Mass. Clean Water Trust for the Drinking Water Facility Project, authorized at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting. The board was also scheduled to discuss purchasing three Miller Street properties (Map 80, Lots 3498, 4135, and 4956) approved at the 2026 Town Meeting, and to vote on a notice to proceed for the Stony Brook Pond Dam Improvement Project with lowest bidder Lucianos Excavation Inc. Additional items included a proposed battery tax agreement with Kearsarge Energy on Jericho Road, a 7:30 PM hearing on a special permit for a 40,900 sq. ft. concrete manufacturing building at 18 Cowan Drive, and several liquor license approvals.
School Committee — July 23
The School Committee had two meetings listed for July 23. One agenda included a vote on a contract for the Lincoln D. Lynch School roof and an executive session to discuss a Pupil Personnel Services Director candidate. A second meeting scheduled for 5:45 PM at School Street School was cancelled; its agenda listed only a MASC Workshop/Retreat with no other business items.
Zoning Board of Appeals — July 23
The ZBA was scheduled to hold a special permit hearing for N.E.S.P., LLC for a surf park, three buildings, accessory structures, and 35 cottage-style hotel/motel units exceeding 20,000 square feet on a 20+ acre parcel off East Grove Street (Map 072, Lot 2616). A second hearing concerned a special permit for a second accessory dwelling unit at 321 Wareham Street (Map 072, Lot 2092) for Craig Gillis. The board also planned to vote on releasing $1,640.80 plus interest to Sachem Construction for the Sumner Avenue project.
Planning Board — July 21
The Planning Board scheduled public hearings on two subdivisions: Grace Estates (Map 71, Lot 2938, Robert Grace, Trs., deadline 7/28/2026) and Fall Brook Subdivision (Map 72, Lot 2616, N.E.S.P., LLC, deadline 8/5/2026). The agenda also included a certificate of completion for Morton Estates, a proposed zoning change for Freedman's Junkyard at 162 East Grove Street, and payment of PMP Consulting invoices totaling $1,108.75 for Campus 44 and Rose Ridge.
Historical Commission — July 21
The Historical Commission was set to hear a presentation from developers on the proposed Wavegarden/Surf Park at 177 East Grove Street (the former Schobel Dairy Farm/Fall Creek Farm) and develop its opinion for submission to state environmental and historical agencies by a July 28 comment deadline.
Other meetings
The Community Preservation Committee and Select Board were scheduled to jointly appoint an at-large CPC member. The Library Board of Trustees planned to discuss and possibly vote on forming a Middleborough Library Foundation. GATRA held a quarterly public feedback forum on transit services on July 23. The Board of Assessors met July 27 to approve Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment #4 for 2026 and monthly abatement reports. The Town Manager Search Committee met July 29 at MCCAM Studio, 1 South Main Street, to interview applicants in executive session.
Coming up
- **Aug. 3 — Select Board:** Contract review for Lucianos Excavation Inc. for Stony Brook Pond Dam improvements at 67 East Main Street; vote on a proposed battery tax agreement (PILOT) with Kearsarge Energy on Jericho Road; vote on 10 one-day beer and wine liquor licenses for Center Ave LLC at 133 Centre Street; and a vote to declare Fire Department vehicles and equipment as surplus.
- **Aug. 4 — Planning Board:** Votes on time extensions for Moulton Street (Map 49, Lot 3087) and Carey Street (Map 49, Lot 3934) projects to September 30, 2026; public hearings on a zoning change for Freedman's Junkyard at 162 East Grove Street and a proposed zoning amendment to prohibit data centers; payment of $8,775.00 to Apex Companies, LLC for Fall Brook Subdivision.
- **Aug. 6 — Conservation Commission:** Notice of Intent for a surf park, three buildings, and 35 motel units at 0 East Grove Street; continuation of a Notice of Intent for a 13,900 sq. ft. Water Treatment Plant at 42 Miller Street; and votes on wetland delineations for parcels at the Rt. 44/Rte. 18/Rte. 495 Rotary and 0 Vernon Street.
- **Aug. 11 — Historical Commission:** Public hearing on a demolition permit for 20 Wareham Street, a Significant Structure on the National Historic Register (2000), with a decision on a 'Preferably Preserved' designation or demolition under §122-3F.
Note: All recent meetings listed above are documented as "agenda only" — minutes have not yet been published. Readers should consult official town records for confirmed outcomes of any votes.