Tewksbury committees tackle budgets, cameras, and school board vacancy
Town boards addressed a slate of policy and spending items over the past two weeks, from fiscal transfers to a school board opening, while several permit applications moved to public hearing.
The Tewksbury Finance Committee on June 22 reviewed proposed fiscal year 2026 budget transfers and received a status update on the Shawsheen Tech budget. The Select Board prepared to discuss automated license plate readers and a regional housing service appropriation. Meanwhile, the School Committee and Select Board held a joint hearing June 30 to fill a vacancy on the School Committee. Minutes for all meetings were not yet published at press time.
Finance Committee
At its June 22 session, the Finance Committee was scheduled to review and potentially approve several FY26 transfers, along with additional transfers. The agenda also included a Shawsheen Tech budget status report and approval of minutes from four prior meetings. No dollar figures were listed in the agenda.
Select Board
The Select Board met June 23 with a docket heavy on infrastructure and public safety. Public hearings were set on two joint pole petitions from National Grid and Verizon — one on Old Main Street (#31219736) and one at 99 Vale Street (#31200249). Members were then to discuss the FLOCK automated license plate reader system. Old business included a regional housing service appropriation, while new business featured a Conservation Commission reappointment for Linda Darveau and an end-of-year transfer approval. The board also reviewed a Town Counsel invoice for May 16-31, 2026.
Board of Health
The Board of Health held a public hearing June 24 on a June 9 order letter for 70 Katie’s Way. The panel also took up potential kratom regulation with state attorney Cheryl Sbarra and received updates on a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), an opioid task force cinema ad, and mosquito spraying. A closed executive session followed on June 26 to discuss BESS litigation strategy. The next open meeting is set for July 16 at Town Hall.
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission held public hearings June 24 on multiple environmental permits. Agenda items included determinations of applicability for 61 Young St., 21 James St., 553 Rogers St., and 100 Apple Hill Dr. Notices of intent and major land disturbance reviews were slated for 21 Virginia Rd., 0 Merrimac Dr., and 73-75 Hillman St. Emergency certifications were on the table for 319 Whipple Rd. and 83 Cinnamon Circle. The commission also considered an extension for SOLitude Lake Management at 1-300 Apache Way and an exemption request for the Tewksbury State Hospital water main project.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals met June 25 to hear variance requests: a rear setback variance for a 16-by-8-foot deck at 53 Bay State Ave., and a side setback variance for a 24-by-36-foot attached garage at 457 Shawsheen St. The board also aimed to approve minutes from its May 28 meeting.
School Committee joint meeting
The School Committee and Select Board convened a joint public hearing June 30 to fill a vacancy on the School Committee. The agenda confined discussion to that single personnel item and procedural matters, with no votes reported before press time.
Coming up
The Finance Committee will meet July 13 to interview candidates for committee vacancies. No other business is scheduled.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.