Townsend Planning Board Splits on Waivers, Closes Seaver Road Hearing

Planning Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026

Townsend Planning Board narrowly approves contested Seaver Road subdivision waivers, sets October 5 decision deadline. Chaired by Andrew Shepherd, the board voted 5-0 to close the public hearing on a three-lot subdivision that neighbors say has already been denied twice, after splitting 3-2 to waive the town's 40-foot minimum road width and 4-1 to waive its 500-foot cap on dead-end streets. Member Robert Therrien voted no on both, saying "there isn't a single abutter here that's in favor of this project." A resident identified only as John told the board the plan was "the epitome of residential sprawl." The board separately voted 4-0, with Shepherd abstaining, to authorize Shepherd and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Faxon to pursue talks with MassDOT on a Route 119 road safety audit.

Member Cindy King also briefed the board on new state clean-energy permitting rules taking effect October 1, warning Townsend has yet to designate the required local government representative.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,339 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.