Groton Planning Board Approves Scaled-Back Cow Pond Brook Athletic Fields Plan

Planning Board · Meeting of August 13, 2026

Groton Planning Board approves modified athletic fields plan and continues cell tower hearing to August 27. The board voted unanimously Thursday to approve eight modifications to the Cow Pond Brook Athletic Fields renovation, reducing the project's target cost from roughly $4.8 million to approximately $4.2 million, and separately voted to send a letter of support to the Community Preservation Committee ahead of an October 3 town meeting vote. Consultant Megan Buzinski of Activitas outlined changes including a gravel southern parking lot, at-grade stormwater basins, and reduced site equipment, while town representative Mark noted the project must be completed by December 2027 to preserve a $1 million matching grant.

On the cell tower proposal at Groton Dunstable Regional High School, attorney Francis Parisi of Parisi Law Associates presented engineering documents showing TowerCom's originally proposed site is the only viable location on the 186-acre parcel, while resident Caroline Neyland argued in public comment that FCC radiofrequency standards are 30 years out of date and urged greater setbacks. The board continued that hearing with four votes in favor and two abstentions, with member Russell Burke stating, "I'm not going to vote for it until I hear the variances or either put it up or down."

In the full story:

• Opening and Roll Call
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,754 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.