Boxborough Planning Board Continues Campanelli Permit Hearing to January 12

BOXBOROUGH -- December 1, 2025, Boxborough Planning Board continues Campanelli business park permit hearing to January 12 while advancing climate plan. The board, meeting via Zoom on December 1, voted unanimously to push its ongoing public hearing on an amendment to the Beaver Brook Road open-space commercial development permits, OSCD 97-01 and OSCD 01-01, to January 12, 2026, after two hours of deliberation left key issues unresolved, including the length of the commercial development period (the board favoring 15 years, applicant representative Russell Dion of Campanelli arguing for 17.5 years) and the structure of a proposed conservation restriction. Town Counsel Adam Costa recommended a two-step approach, recording a declaration of restriction within 60 to 90 days of the appeal period lapsing, followed by a full state-approved conservation restriction over 12 to 18 months, with Campanelli confirming it is "entirely agnostic" on the form. In a separate presentation, Associate Town Planner Ian Gilson briefed the board on the draft Climate Action Plan, built on a Tufts University student-produced priority plan and targeting Select Board adoption in January; member Mark White cautioned that a survey of 140 residents was driving policy for a town of roughly 6,000. Town Planner Alexander Waite reported at a joint session with the Select Board that 86 percent of the Boxborough 2030 Master Plan's 125 action items are now engaged, up 4 percent from the prior year, and that $75,000 in state and regional grants will fund an economic development plan with no cost to local taxpayers.