Somerset boards weigh Taco Bell, gas line easement, and school leadership hires in packed week of meetings
Town boards and committees tackled a wide range of issues in late June and early July, with agendas covering infrastructure, cannabis regulation, school administration, and restaurant permits. All recent sessions remain listed as agenda-only, as official minutes have not yet been published, so final votes and decisions were unavailable by press time.
Water and sewer board considers gas line easement and dam contract
The Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners met July 1 to discuss a request from Liberty Utilities to share a town sewer easement for a gas main relocation project along the stretch from Hanley Road to Hebb Street. The board also considered a contract addendum with Pare Corporation for Phase I of the Somerset Reservoir Dam Resiliency Improvements. A capital plan for the department and a response to an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins rounded out the agenda.
Selectmen take up cannabis equity, highway promotion
At its June 25 meeting, the Board of Selectmen was scheduled to vote on promoting Highway Department Laborer Jeffrey Silvia to Heavy Equipment Operator. The board also planned to consider signing a plan to comply with Cannabis Control Commission equity mandates and establishing a submission review fee for host community agreements between the town and marijuana establishments. A continued hearing on a common victualler license for Brasas Meat Market with outdoor seating and an executive session for non-union personnel negotiations were also listed.
School committees eye top administrative hires
Two joint meetings of the Somerset School Committee and the Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee on June 23 and June 30 focused on filling leadership posts. The agenda for the June 23 session included discussion and potential action on postings for Director of Teaching and Learning and for Assistant Superintendent of Finance/Chief Financial Officer, along with a memorandum of understanding for shared positions. On June 30, the regional committee alone was set to review end-of-year financials, act on budget amendments, and vote on reaffirming Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32B, Section 9B regarding health insurance. Both joint meetings also scheduled executive sessions tied to Open Meeting Law complaints by Victor Machado Jr. concerning audio issues.
Planning, zoning boards review Taco Bell and energy storage
Permitting for a new Taco Bell dominated multiple land-use agendas. The Planning Board on June 23 continued reviews of stormwater permits for the Taco Bell at 721 G.A.R. Highway and for structure decommissioning at 1 Brayton Point Road. That same evening, the Zoning Board of Appeals opened public hearings for a Taco Bell fast food restaurant at 79 N. Main Street and for several home occupation variances. Separately, the Conservation Commission on June 29 took up an abbreviated notice for a resource area delineation for an energy storage facility proposed by Somerset Energy Storage LLC at 1606 Riverside Avenue.
Other meetings in brief
The Board of Assessors entered executive session June 25 to review a settlement offer from New England Power. The Council on Aging discussed door replacement, a handicapped bathroom remodel, and planning for the town’s 250th anniversary celebration. The Somerset Health Plan Group considered Fiscal Year 2027 stop loss insurance renewal options, and the Veterans Advisory Board began planning a coffee hour with the Office of Veterans’ Advocacy on July 11 and a Veterans Appreciation Cookout on Aug. 16 featuring a Red Sox ticket raffle.
Coming up
The Economic Development Committee meets July 7 with a $2,200 invoice for an America 250 video production, a proposed bylaw change for the Slades Ferry Overlay District related to BBQFest, and updates on the Route 103/Wilbur Avenue Project and Brightman Bridge Overlook. On July 9, the Housing Authority will hold a public hearing on its Proposed Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2027, including capital improvements, maintenance plans, and waivers from state regulations. The Zoning Board of Appeals returns July 16 for a public hearing on a commercial battery energy storage system at 1606 Riverside Avenue.
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.