Know Before It's Decided
The agenda, in plain English.
Upcoming public meetings in all four towns, from each town's posted calendar and agendas. Click a meeting for the posting.
Gloucester health panel to review blasting study for planned Kondelin Road waste transfer station
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A Board of Health subcommittee meets Tuesday on documents the developer filed to meet a condition of last year's site approval. Also this week: the Waterways Board looks back at the season, and the Housing Authority interviews for its No. 2 job.
Rockport Select Board to weigh Christmas in Rockport plans and a joint lawyer for Comcast talks Tuesday
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The board also interviews a Finance Committee candidate, takes up the Nov. 3 election warrant, votes on four public works contracts and gets a budget and Town Meeting update.
Gloucester's senior center board to discuss rebranding the Rose Baker Center, and trust fund panel weighs old bequests
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Council on Aging board meets Wednesday with the center's name and image on its agenda. On Tuesday, the city's trust fund commissioners discuss what to do with income from the Huntress Fund.
Essex downtown forum: parking, a market and more to do top residents' wish list
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
At a chamber and town forum Sept. 29, residents and business owners traded ideas for the causeway, from a river shuttle and a walking trail to year round public restrooms. Officials also outlined a push for a $2 million study of causeway flooding.
Essex selectmen to take up a full time fire chief job description and a search for a town accountant
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The board meets Monday. Later in the week: the Bell Point subdivision returns to the Conservation Commission, and three boards meet on public works.
Gloucester adopts Housing Compass, a five year road map for housing
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Planning Board and City Council both voted unanimously Tuesday. The plan now goes to the state, and its ideas head to the Affordable Housing Trust and a long list of zoning debates.
Manchester boards meet Monday to shape the special town meeting and hear from the school building committee
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Select Board and Finance Committee sit down together Oct. 5. Also on the agenda: the state election warrant, two short term rental licenses and the reappointment of the town's top finance officials.
Gloucester planners take up Sargent Street subdivision Thursday as council panels weigh police grants
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Also this week: Essex selectmen meet with public works and finance boards, and Essex's school community meetings are set for Oct. 8 and Oct. 13.
Gloucester council rejects fire lanes on both sides of Rackliffe Street
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Every councilor present voted no, citing lost parking on Rocky Neck and worry that dozens of other narrow streets would be next.
Essex looks for residents to review how the town is governed
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A new committee will study the town's management structure. Applications are due Oct. 13.
Essex, Manchester and school district revive joint talks on sharing services
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A shared senior van service was set to start this week. Leaders also floated sharing equipment and staff, and an early conversation with Rockport.
Essex backs grant bids for causeway flooding and Chebacco Lake
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Selectmen also approved a load study for the Landing Road bridge and appointed three new firefighters.
Under new state rules, Gloucester board OKs Magnolia house neighbors called too big
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Zoning Board granted three variances for a single family home at 29 Flume Road, saying an odd lot shape and septic limits made building difficult.
Gloucester trims first-week early voting hours, protects two historic homes
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The City Council also updated trash rules ahead of the Oct. 1 switch to new carts at its Sept. 22 meeting.
Gloucester zoning board denies Angle Street decks, approves Flume Road home, YMCA signs and a large ADU
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Neighbors' fire safety worries sank a two-deck plan near the harbor, while five other requests won unanimous approval on Sept. 24.
Manchester sends housing plan to the state, hears smaller Pine Street apartment plan
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Select Board also revised its tree policy, cleared the way for fall sauna days at White Beach and laid out the calendar for the Nov. 16 special town meeting.