Planning Board backs energy code, opposes CPA cut
Planning Board · Meeting of October 5, 2026
Westford Planning Board backs specialized energy code, rejects CPA surcharge cut ahead of special town meeting. The board voted 4-1 to recommend town meeting adopt the specialized energy code effective January 1, 2028, a move Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee presenters Andrea Perrin and Tom Teller said could unlock up to $1.15 million in state grants, pointing to neighboring Acton and Chelmsford's $1 million grants after adopting it. Resident Emily Teller urged a unanimous vote, calling it "a huge message to town meeting." Separately, the board voted 5-0 against Finance Committee member Dennis Galvin's petitioned Article 10, which sought to cut the Community Preservation Act surcharge from 3 percent to 2 percent to return roughly $900,000 a year to taxpayers; Community Preservation Committee representative Jeffries countered that the fund has generated $28 million since 2016 and the cut would cost $190,000 annually in state match.
The board also backed Article 7 digitization funding and an Article 9 brewpub liquor license, 5-0 each, and granted a contested paving waiver on the long-running Kinloch Drive subdivision dispute, continuing that hearing to November 2.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,620 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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