Tuesday on Cape Ann: Manchester Essex school board takes up the Essex Elementary budget and borrowing, Gloucester weighs a higher shellfish catch limit

Several Cape Ann boards meet Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Essex holds a zoning hearing Wednesday. Here is what their posted agendas say.

Manchester Essex Regional School Committee, 6 p.m.

The committee meets in the Learning Commons at Manchester Essex Regional Middle High School, 36 Lincoln St., and online through WebEx. Under continued business, the agenda lists:

• Essex Elementary School building project: approval of the project budget and authorization of borrowing.
• An update on the middle school improvement plan and the fiscal 2027 outlook, from the middle school principal.
• A report from the district's auditor.

The meeting also has public comment, a student report, reports from the building, finance and policy subcommittees, a second reading of background check policies and the superintendent's report. It is set to end by 8:30 p.m.

On Oct. 13 the Essex School Building Committee voted to approve the project's schematic design. Read what it approved. Manchester's special town meeting is Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. at Memorial School, the town's website says, and Essex selectmen vote Monday night on holding the town's Fall Town Meeting that same night, Nov. 16, and a special election on Thursday, Dec. 10.

Rockport Select Board, 6 p.m.

The board meets with a Zoom option (meeting ID 830 0625 0871, or call 929-205-6099). Its action list includes police officer assignments for the Nov. 3 state election, a proposal for New Year's Eve events in Rockport and the sixth round of reappointments to town boards and committees. The consent agenda includes a Long Beach property sale and money from the local wetlands account for Conservation Commission training. The town administrator gives a finance update on the fiscal 2027 operating and capital budgets and grants. There is public comment at the start and the end.

Gloucester Shellfish Advisory Commission, 6 p.m.

The commission meets in the Harbormaster's Conference Room, 19 Harbor Loop, and on Zoom (webinar ID 861 6135 5381, or call 929-205-6099). The agenda lists updates from the shellfish constable on enforcement, management and restoration, a discussion with members of the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station about the North Shore Shellfish Network, and a discussion on raising the commercial permit daily catch limit.

Wednesday in Essex

The Planning Board holds a public hearing on proposed articles for the Nov. 16 Fall Town Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium, 30 Martin St., and the selectmen plan to attend. Earlier that day, at 5 p.m., the Community Preservation Committee reviews three requests: kayak racks at Red Gate Road, erosion control at Centennial Grove and design of a downtown rail trail.

Earlier coverage: Monday on Cape Ann: Essex sets its Fall Town Meeting and a Dec. 10 school override vote (Oct. 16), Monday's agendas.