Chelmsford Roundup: Town Manager Search Advances, Youth Grants and Parker School on Agendas

Chelmsford's boards and committees covered ground last week on the town manager search, construction projects, zoning debates, and regional funding — though minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so only agenda items can be confirmed at this time. The Select Board is scheduled today to interview two finalists for the Town Manager position.

Town Manager Search

The Town Manager Screening Committee held three executive sessions between June 22 and June 25 to interview applicants for the upcoming Town Manager vacancy. Those sessions were closed to the public to protect applicant confidentiality. The Select Board has scheduled interviews today, July 6, with two candidates: Thomas Gregory and Alex Magee, followed by deliberation and discussion.

Select Board Agenda

The Select Board's June 29 agenda included the Town Accountant's FY2026 budget status report, Standard & Poor's credit rating and bond auction results for an upcoming bond sale, and discussion of MSBA approval for Parker School to proceed into the schematic design phase. The board also had a public hearing scheduled on a change of manager/ownership for Pressed Café at 330 Billerica Rd, a one-day wine & malt and entertainment license for Diggy's LLC at Brickhouse Center for July 3, 2026, and a transfer of auto dealer license from Duffy's Auto to Three Sons Collision at 50 Tyngsboro Rd.

Youth Workforce Grants

The Greater Lowell Workforce Board (MassHire) had three youth workforce grants totaling $287,000 on its June 25 agenda: a $51,000 In-School Youth grant to Greater Lowell Technical High School for 24 students, a $113,228.50 Out-of-School Youth grant to Community Teamwork/YouthBuild for 22 youth, and a $122,771.50 Out-of-School Youth grant to the International Institute of New England for 20 youth. The board also planned to establish a screening/search committee for an Executive Director position and introduce five new board members.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission's June 23 agenda included a potential enforcement order for alleged wetland filling at 73 Littleton Road and a violation update for 233 Mill Road. Five Notices of Intent were also scheduled: CSX Transportation, Inc. (Railroad Right-of-Way); Donna Koulas (9 Lady Slipper Lane); CHOICE (1 Smith Street); New England Power Company (Transmission Line rights-of-way); and Alexandria and James Regan (21 & 23 Seventh Avenue).

Building Projects

The Permanent Building Committee's June 23 agenda included construction schedule and site work updates for Fire Station Engine 3 at 260 Old Westford Road and Engine 5 at 295 Acton Road, a South Row School partial roof replacement via the MSBA Accelerated Repair Program, and a Parker School Building Committee status update.

Planning and Zoning

The Planning Board's June 24 agenda included a continued definitive subdivision hearing at 9 Lady Slipper Lane for two new lots and an ADU (continuation requested without discussion), a discussion on resolving zoning conflicts in the Riverneck neighborhood, a zoning inquiry for a proposed coffee shop at 210 Boston Road, an overview of draft data center zoning regulations, and updates on contractor yard definitions.

Regional Transportation

The Northern Middlesex Council of Governments had votes scheduled June 24 on endorsing the Greater Lowell Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, TIP Amendment #5 for District 4 vulnerable roadway user crosswalk installation in Billerica, TIP Adjustment #3 for an LRTA Council on Aging van for Wilmington (100% state-funded), the FFY 2027 Unified Planning Work Program, and May 27 meeting minutes.

Other Meetings

The LRTA Advisory Board's June 25 agenda included an FY2027 budget presentation, election of officers, the Finance Director's monthly report, and warrant approval. The Housing Advisory Board discussed the Housing for All Summit on July 1. The Board of Assessors on July 2 reviewed Appellate Tax Board cases, exemption applications, and held an executive session for tax abatement matters under G.L. c.59, §60.

Coming Up

• **July 6 — Select Board:** Interviews with Town Manager candidates Thomas Gregory and Alex Magee, followed by deliberation.
• **July 6 — Chelmsford Housing Authority:** Review and approval of the FY27 Annual Plan (remote meeting).
• **July 7 — Board of Health:** Discussion on brewery fees versus food establishment fees, a proposed warrant article for a town-wide ban on black plastic, and DEP groundwater monitoring reports for the Chelmsford Landfill and Princeton St wastewater facility.
• **July 8 — Planning Board:** Public hearing for a 4,283 sq ft commercial building at 91 Tyngsboro Road; continued discussion on Riverneck neighborhood rezoning and data center zoning regulations.
• **July 9 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearings including a Comprehensive Permit for 96 affordable senior rental units at 1 Smith Street and a stayed hearing for 23 units (6 affordable) at 243 Riverneck Road.
• **July 9 — Recycling Committee:** Vote on a single-use/black plastic warrant article.

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — Youth workforce grants, Parker School design top recent town board agendas

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.