Blackstone Weekly Roundup: Housing Authority, Parks & Rec, and EDC Met; School Building Vote and Water Commitments Ahead
What Happened This Week
Most town meetings held over the past two weeks have agendas available but minutes not yet published, so outcomes — including any votes — cannot be confirmed from the public record at this time. Here is what was scheduled.
Housing Authority — July 28
The Blackstone Housing Authority was scheduled to vote on the FY2027 Annual Plan at its July 28 meeting. The agenda also listed a smoking policy update, approval of June 2026 warrants, and approval of minutes from a June 23, 2026 emergency meeting. Minutes have not yet been published, so the vote result is not confirmed.
Parks and Recreation Commission — July 27
The Parks and Recreation Commission was set to review ADA action items under Article 31, including competitive procurement for basketball courts, and discuss price points for field use fees. The agenda also included an update on playground equipment at Elm Street Station, a Semiquincentennial event recap, and an open discussion with leagues on field use requests. A drone-related email was listed under correspondence. No major decisions were scheduled.
Economic Development Committee — July 27
The EDC planned to finalize a business list for action in August and receive an update on the Cristina Coulter MSA. DPH Chair Joshua Ryan was listed as attending to meet the committee. A future agenda item on the Main Street corridor was also noted.
Board of Selectmen — July 21
The Board of Selectmen held a workshop session on the town's Semiquincentennial Celebration plans. The agenda described the session as informational with no formal votes scheduled. A separate July 21 agenda listed only procedural items with no concrete decisions detailed.
Zoning Board of Appeals — July 22
A Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for July 22 at 7:00 PM was cancelled. A separate agenda for the same date listed only routine procedural items — roll call, correspondence, minutes, and bills — with no rezonings, special permits, or variance requests. The next ZBA meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2026.
Mosquito Control
The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project posted notices for tentative spray dates in Blackstone on July 6, 13, 20, and 27. Residents can request site-specific spraying by calling (508) 393-3055 or visiting www.cmmep.org. Property owners may exclude their private property from wide-area spraying per 333 CMR 13.03(1)(a).
Coming Up
- **August 5 — Joint School Building Meeting:** The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee meets jointly with the Boards of Selectmen, Finance Committees, and School Building Committee to discuss building vote procedures under General Law Chapter 71, Section 16(n). A marching band field trip request is also on the agenda. A public forum is scheduled.
- **August 6 — Planning Board:** Review of the Kimball Site Expansion stormwater and site plan by Tetra Tech, plus discussions on veteran's housing, FY27 DLTA funding, and a potential vote on requiring 2 paper copies and 1 electronic PDF copy for planning applications.
- **August 13 — Water & Sewer Commission:** The commission will consider approving water and sewer commitments totaling $537,743.26 ($282,327.16 water; $255,416.10 sewer). Updates on drought conditions, lead service line inventory, and the water treatment plant are also scheduled.
- **August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 — Mosquito Spraying:** Tentative CMMCP spray dates for August, subject to weather and mosquito activity.
- **August 19 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Next scheduled meeting.