Conservation Board Delays Battery Storage Vote

Conservation · Meeting of August 12, 2026

Tewksbury Conservation Commission continues contentious battery storage hearing to September amid stormwater dispute. The board voted 4-0, with member Dennis Sheehan recused, to push East Point Energy's notice of intent for a lithium-ion battery facility at 73-75 Hillman Street to September 2, after attorney Christopher Senny, representing abutters Maureen DiPalma and Dennis Sheehan, argued the project needs a vegetated stormwater system under the town's zoning bylaw. Member Steve Gove said he could not approve the project "in totality" without a finalized National Grid transmission interconnection.

Chairman Daniel Ronan asked the applicant to confirm in writing whether peer reviewer TEC has experience with battery storage facilities before the next hearing. Elsewhere, the commission cleared five routine driveway, shed and sewer-tie-in projects with unanimous 5-0 negative determinations, and approved certificates of compliance for homes at 35 Settlers Way and 40 Donovan Way, the latter with a new condition requiring wetland replication for any future buffer-zone expansion.

In the full story:

• Approval of Minutes
• A. Robert Keddie, 160 Green Meadow Drive
• B. Myles Freeman, 15 Riverview Avenue
• C. Isaac Reyes, 36 Shady Lane
• D. Linda and Salvatore Poli, 51 Joanne Drive
• E. Jonathan Martins, 160 County Road
• F. Crystal Nguyen, 72 No. Billerica Road
• G. Elizabeth Ronayne, 35 Settlers Way, DEP File 305-1123
• H. Michael & Devin Whitehouse, 40 Donovan Way, DEP File 305-1209
• I. Nicole Smallidge, 21 Virginia Road, DEP File 305-1230
• J. Mar-Burg 1777 LLC, 1777 Main Street, DEP File 305-1233
• K. Matthew & Grace Poirier, 15 Woodside Terrace
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,460 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of August 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.