Planning Board - October 5th, 2026 | Westford, MA

Westford Planning Board meeting held October 5, 2026, with procurement-related discussion focused on town permitting technology and potential state funding. The board unanimously supported Article 7, which would broaden the permitted use of an existing $100,000 appropriation to include an online permitting system; staff said it could improve application tracking, concurrent reviews, transparency, and forecasting. No software vendor was selected and no contract was awarded. The board also supported Article 2, adoption of the Specialized Energy Code effective January 1, 2028, by a 4–1 vote. Supporters said adoption could help Westford qualify for up to $1.15 million in state grants for municipal projects. The board endorsed a zoning bylaw amendment for small clean-energy infrastructure facilities and its report for Town Meeting, both by unanimous votes. It also voted not to support a proposal to reduce the Community Preservation Act surcharge from 3% to 2%; speakers discussed the effect on annual funding, state matching aid, and the town’s capital and preservation projects.

Other actions included approval of a 23-square-foot sign for Liquor Junction and a waiver allowing the Kinloch Drive applicant to install the final pavement course before completion of development, subject to engineering protections and town-counsel review. The Kinloch subdivision modification hearing was continued to November 2. No vendor awards or new procurement contracts were identified.