Manchester-By-The-Sea Select Board Meeting | May 18, 2026

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Select Board meeting on May 18, 2026, included several procurement and contract-related discussions. Key procurement topics included the approval of a $16,635 community compact IT grant awarded to the town for a project with General Code to review, reorganize, and host the town's zoning and general bylaws online in a more user-friendly format. The board also approved licenses related to propane storage for Essex County Club and the installation of a joint utility pole by National Grid and Verizon on School Street. Additionally, a detailed presentation was given by Jefferson Apartment Group regarding a proposed multifamily housing development on a 20-acre site near Route 128, with discussions focusing on project scale, infrastructure impacts, affordable housing percentages, and environmental considerations. The board reviewed ongoing capital improvement projects, including the Central Street Culvert project with pending FEMA grant extensions and permitting, and discussed the demolition schedule for the cargo building. Updates on union contract negotiations, committee vacancies, and the town’s five-year financial forecast and capital improvement plan were also provided. The meeting emphasized the importance of coordinated communication with developers and town departments to manage operational costs and community impact.