Meeting report · Planning Board
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Planning Board — March 25, 2026
While the board was unified in its voting, there was notable community pushback regarding the loss of recreational space and concerns over wireless technology.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Wireless Services Overlay District Zoning Amendment
Broad regulatory changes affecting how wireless infrastructure is permitted and located within the town. Affected: All residents, particularly those near potential tower sites or schools.
zoning change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Motion to continue the public hearing for Frank Feeley Field site plan and stormwater management permit to April 8, 2026.
All members in favor: Sugrue, Shah, Perlman, Roopenian, Garvin.
Passed
Close the public hearing for proposed zoning amendments for the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting (Section 4300 Wireless Services Overlay District).
Motion by a speaker, seconded by a speaker. All members in favor.
Passed
Approve minor modifications to the approved site plan and stormwater management permit for 12 Harvey's Farm Lane (Assessor's Map H10-0201).
Motion by a speaker, seconded by a speaker. All members in favor.
Passed
Approve the Planning Board meeting minutes from February 25th, 2026.
Motion by a speaker, seconded by a speaker. All members in favor.
Passed
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 01:50 Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
A site plan review and stormwater management permit application for improvements to two softball fields, including ADA access, regrading for drainage, new dugouts, seating, and irrigation.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 52:23 Zoning Amendment: Wireless Services Overlay District
A discussion regarding proposed updates to the zoning bylaw to reflect contemporary wireless technology, expand evaluation criteria, increase buffer notifications, and require decommissioning bonds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 1:07:08 Minor Modifications to Site Plan: 12 Harvey's Farm Lane
A request for minor modifications to an approved site plan and stormwater management permit, involving the repositioning of compost bins, windrows, and a landscape berm for improved drainage and aesthetics.
Speakers: Nick Mashawney, Speaker S (Chair), Speaker U (Stephen Garvin), Speaker V (Kirsten Roopenian)
▶ 1:13:00 Open Space Master Plan Update
An update regarding the progress of the open space plans, including information on an upcoming open house and the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) annual public hearing.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Speaker S (Chair)
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
The project threatens to eliminate a long-standing neighborhood sledding hill, creating a conflict between formal athletic facility upgrades and informal community recreational use.
Board position: The board deferred the final decision by continuing the hearing, while the Chair suggested technical workarounds (fence height/gaps) to mitigate the loss of use.
high concern
02
Wireless Services Overlay District Zoning Amendment
Residents expressed health concerns regarding 5G radiation and the concentration of towers near sensitive areas like schools and athletic fields.
Board position: The board supported the amendment to modernize outdated bylaws, relying on 'co-location' requirements to prevent tower clustering.
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Address stormwater peer review comments and potentially update the irrigation plan/design to comply with conservation buffer requirements.
Assigned: Kyle Rowan (Gale Associates) · Due: April 1, 2026
Submit responses to peer review comments and updated plans to the Board.
Assigned: Kyle Rowan (Gale Associates) · Due: April 1, 2026
Adjust windrow placement to ensure they are not immediately adjacent to the stone filter strip to prevent clogging.
Assigned: Nick Mashawney
Complete the online survey for the Open Space Master Plan.
Assigned: Board Members
Notable statements
Our Parks and Grounds Division within the DPW will maintain this site. — Victor Garofalo · Responding to a question regarding the long-term maintenance of the athletic fields. ▶ 37:15
The current bylaw is incredibly strict about where and how towers are located... [it] is likely causing strife or stress for residents. — Adam Burney · Explaining the necessity for updating the Wireless Services Overlay District bylaw to accommodate modern technology and improve coverage. ▶ 54:03
The proposed bylaw includes a requirement for co-location prior to the location of a new facility, meaning providers must ensure co-location is not possible before a new tower is approved. — Mr. Berrien · Responding to concerns about the concentration of cell towers in neighborhoods. ▶ 1:04:08
When the board voted on the bylaw, there was no maximum or minimum height included, so I did just transfer the existing hundred feet into the proposed bylaw. — Mr. Berrien · Explaining the inclusion of the 100-foot height limit in the new draft. ▶ 1:05:16
Member positions
4 issues · 1 explicit · 3 inferred
Stephen Garvin
Present
Chair
Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
YES
✓
Zoning Amendment: Wireless Services Overlay District
YES
✓
Minor Modifications to Site Plan: 12 Harvey's Farm Lane
YES
✓
Approve the Planning Board meeting minutes from February 25th, 2026.
YES
✓
John Sugrue
Present
Vice-Chair
Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
YES
✓
Zoning Amendment: Wireless Services Overlay District
YES
✓
Minor Modifications to Site Plan: 12 Harvey's Farm Lane
YES
✓
Approve the Planning Board meeting minutes from February 25th, 2026.
YES
✓
Kirsten Roopenian
Present
Member
Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
YES
✓
Zoning Amendment: Wireless Services Overlay District
YES
✓
Minor Modifications to Site Plan: 12 Harvey's Farm Lane
YES
✓
Approve the Planning Board meeting minutes from February 25th, 2026.
YES
✓
Anuraj Shah
Present
Member
Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
YES
✓
Zoning Amendment: Wireless Services Overlay District
YES
✓
Minor Modifications to Site Plan: 12 Harvey's Farm Lane
YES
✓
Approve the Planning Board meeting minutes from February 25th, 2026.
YES
✓
Julie Zelermyer Perlman
Present
Member
Frank Feeley Athletic Field Phase Two Improvements
YES
✓
Zoning Amendment: Wireless Services Overlay District
YES
✓
Minor Modifications to Site Plan: 12 Harvey's Farm Lane
YES
✓
Approve the Planning Board meeting minutes from February 25th, 2026.
YES
✓
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
6
Total speakers
3
Addressed
2
Partial
1
Not addressed
Tim Rasmyson
Partial
The speaker noted that the current plan for the hill between the parking lot and the lower field will eliminate a site used for sledding. He expressed that this is a common activity for local neighborhood children.
Key concern
Loss of a local sledding area due to the proposed site improvements.
Board responseThe Chair acknowledged the concern and noted that since multiple neighbors had raised the same issue, it was a significant question that should be shared with Parks and Rec.
The board acknowledged the concern and directed it toward the appropriate department (Parks and Rec), but did not provide an immediate solution or change to the plan.
Gail Kessler Walsh
Addressed
The speaker stated that the hill is a beloved sledding spot for the neighborhood and many visitors. She expressed concern that the new fence at the bottom of the slope would negate its use and requested a workaround.
Key concern
The proposed fence will prevent the use of the sledding hill.
Board responseThe Chair suggested three potential workarounds: lowering the fence height, leaving a gap in the fence, or using a removable fence system.
The Board Chair provided specific, actionable suggestions to mitigate the impact on sledding.
Tim Walsh
Partial
The speaker emphasized that the hill has been used for sledding for thirty years by children from various neighborhoods. He pointed out that this current use was likely overlooked during the initial planning requirements.
Key concern
The planning process failed to account for the winter recreational use of the land.
Board responseThe Chair acknowledged the input and again noted that the issue should be addressed by Parks and Recreation.
The board acknowledged the comment and validated that it was a significant concern from abutters, but deferred the resolution to the relevant department.
Bettina Westerberg
Addressed
The speaker reiterated that the hill is a neighborhood treasure used by many children. She requested a workaround to accommodate small children while still allowing for the necessary field upgrades.
Key concern
The need to balance athletic field improvements with the preservation of the sledding hill.
Board responseThe Chair provided specific mitigation suggestions regarding the fence design (height, gaps, or removability).
The Chair provided specific design alternatives to address the conflict between the fence and sledding.
Bettina Westerberg
Partial
The speaker expressed concern regarding the potential health impacts of concentrated wireless energy from 5G towers. She suggested implementing setbacks from schools or athletic areas to prevent crowding frequency in specific neighborhoods.
Key concern
Concentration of wireless tower radiation near schools and athletic areas.
Board responseThe Planning Director responded by explaining that the proposed bylaw requires 'co-location' as a requirement, meaning providers must attempt to use existing towers before building new ones.
The board responded with a policy mechanism (co-location) intended to limit the number of new towers, though it did not directly address the specific request for school setbacks.
Nick Mashawney
Addressed
The speaker presented a plan for minor modifications to a site, involving the relocation of compost bins, windrows, and planting beds. He explained that the changes are primarily aesthetic and intended to improve drainage and security.
Key concern
Request for approval of minor site modifications for better drainage and aesthetics.
Board responseThe board generally supported the changes, though one member suggested shifting the mixing area further from the stone filter strip to prevent clogging.
The board reviewed the proposal and provided specific guidance on where to place the windrows to avoid future maintenance issues.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-30.