[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6094597,"mediaKeyId","2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca","parentId",2842386,"title","Danvers Select Board forwards mixed recommendations on MBTA zoning petitions after long public debate","audioSeconds",2846,"startMs",1148000,"endMs",3994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca&start=1148&end=3994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca/thumbnail_1148000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094597/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Danvers-Select-Board-forwards-mixed-recommendations-on-MBTA-zoning-petitions-after-long-public-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094597-6baa369cba53992a26963a30c4ccf37c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443097&Signature=klE2yVXMWNCQHTBgTfUlyezcsVk0PxEGbf7xPUZK8kJ-iKHhRcLoRodVNSfY-vP7P9vQ2mn6h5B6sA9d7NjBIsXz7kX63JfL0h7m~qoBkKVzGPFtWqmF0FnV8l1~ifVYwQgTa9xtV0LbZNJ91ky8AMEzUp76ET0kj9RuDAOc6~GVsXiXqhG5jCU4zHz8zv-eUUCBS1sO~5YYKh-kLlUh6gWYBV5aY~FhwJ3AFc1UwoVIAFpK4qtlSi0RuboNPMcMLRTElkZ-mRXjv0h7qdKBED~fDUMpVYUcPS4UqUaeRA7zmZahtM1MzlEv2d5g-UtOIfuXKJpelD8ZiusGXayyIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Danvers, MA","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Select Board heard lengthy public comment and debate on three citizens’ petitions requesting various actions related to MBTA Communities zoning and then voted separately on how to forward each petition to the Finance Committee and to town meeting.

Joanne Mguchi, a Town Meeting member from Precinct 2, introduced a petition asking town meeting to vote to prepare articles to repeal zoning changes adopted to comply with the MBTA Communities law. \"We are requesting that the Town of Danvers rescind the MBTA warrant article…a majority of residents in town are appalled at the size and the scope of this type of excess zoning,\" Mguchi said, citing concerns about increased density, traffic and pressure on schools and first responders. Several residents described the multi‑story project at Maple and Hobart Streets as an example of the zoning’s local effects.

Other speakers urged more targeted action rather than wholesale repeal. Select Board member Dee said she supported revisiting the law but not repeal that would put Danvers out of compliance and risk losing grant eligibility; \"we will lose grants…are we gonna fire police officers or teachers?\" she asked, arguing for a measured, collaborative approach. Select Board member Maureen said the town should begin planning and offered to work on a master plan and targeted zoning changes; Board member David said he was sympathetic but opposed sending a blanket repeal to town meeting because town meeting is not the appropriate body to direct planning staff. Several speakers noted neighboring towns have pursued litigation or other steps to resist the state mandate.

The board voted on each petition as follows:
- Article 36 (petition seeking repeal of MBTA‑related zoning): the Select Board voted to forward the article unfavorably (vote recorded in the meeting as 3–2 in favor of an unfavorable recommendation).
- Article 37 (petition asking planning department to discuss and incorporate zoning‑by‑law updates addressing overdevelopment from MBTA zoning: density and parking): the board voted to forward the article favorably (4–1).
- Article 38 (petition to rescind prior MBTA zoning warrant articles): the Select Board indicated it would forward the petition unfavorably; staff noted the petition had procedural issues and the petitioner did not plan to pursue defense of the article further.

Board members and audience members repeatedly returned to two themes: preserving the town’s character while ensuring compliance with state law and pursuing grants that the MBTA zoning compliance makes the town eligible to apply for. Planning staff said Danvers is currently in compliance for the MBTA requirement and therefore eligible for some grant programs, and that grant opportunities such as catalytic grants remain rolling. \"We are now eligible to apply for the catalytic grants…Salem was just awarded a million dollar grant as part of that program,\" Planning Director Aaron Henry said.

The board’s separate votes will be reported to Finance Committee and included on the warrant materials for the May town meeting, where town meeting members will have the final vote on any zoning changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Danvers: Select Board Meeting - 4/1/25","oneSentenceSummary","After extensive public comment and board discussion about density, parking and grant eligibility, the Select Board voted to forward a repeal petition unfavorably (3–2), to forward a targeted petition addressing MBTA zoning density/parking favorably (4–1), and to forward a rescission petition unfavorably (voice vote).","taxTitle","Town of Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",56467,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094601,"Select Board lays out Wildwood Road, votes to discontinue portion of Toomey Street for town meeting",290,734000,1024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca&start=734&end=1024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca/thumbnail_734000.jpg","/articles/6094601/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-lays-out-Wildwood-Road-votes-to-discontinue-portion-of-Toomey-Street-for-town-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094601-f9ac80bf505520616e4ce7d80746878e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443097&Signature=BdbzH3uVybAQLDcV~frItsPY9q0kD-GjyUKdESjzo9dkn-BnLtNfaS4d9f8IOgrulqxbeaRpvqcychIkwLLecGsAM2DnqKedAP9j~vTxzJYlSB0lGOjsSM1C928QCfr5rC7ZY7kpRpp6ymz7hd5dhaSK4o4AWrsFlt731AFaQ9PK~j6tvcFDnsZWvaWpeJGxrKfHF5zaGtFAo8GemMXQyyLOMrJyNbCoOS86fEd2rJswsJU2mbHjx1AHzG3c0o4vdzs9hz5TALTRTLP2u34~7xy0WkZE8hBk4IeaHLBl4ZYWuF-qBQkZ6bJ1CHXOqPtelqGBg5JtILUvqLoumSskwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board held public hearings and voted to lay out a portion of Wildwood Road as a public way and to discontinue a portion of Toomey Street, actions that the board will recommend for vote at the May annual town meeting.

Town Engineer Steven King explained there is a small portion of Wildwood Road that remains unaccepted and currently exists as a private way; the board’s action starts the Chapter 82 layout process to bring that segment before town meeting for acceptance. \"We're here tonight to present the public hearing process to lay Wildwood out for town meeting approval and to ultimately allow the town to take it as a full public way,\" King said.

A local Wildwood Road resident asked how the change would affect addresses and signage; King said addresses will remain Toomey for affected properties and that the town will install correct signage once the way is accepted. After public comment the board voted to close the hearing and, by voice vote, approved a motion that the Select Board lay out Wildwood Road and recommend acceptance by town meeting.

King also presented a separate public hearing to discontinue a portion of Toomey Street, explaining that the Toomey cul‑de‑sac no longer exists because an extension of Wildwood Road overlaps the old layout. After closing the public hearing the board voted to forward a motion of partial discontinuance of Toomey Street and to recommend that the town meeting discontinue the described portion; that motion also passed on a voice vote.

In discussion the board and public asked how many unaccepted streets remain; King said there are 82 streets on a list of potential future acceptances and noted that streets laid out since February 2001 total 132. The board’s votes move the two items forward to the warrant process and to town meeting for final action.

The board’s recorded motions were made from the dais; the meeting minutes show the Select Board approved the layout and the partial discontinuance and will present both to town meeting for final acceptance or discontinuance.","The Select Board opened and closed public hearings, voted to lay out Wildwood Road as a public way and to discontinue a portion of Toomey Street for placement on the May town meeting warrant; both motions passed by voice vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094605,"Danvers select board approves five-year contract for incoming town manager",203,310000,513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca&start=310&end=513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842386-bda4a88b0d78c22de0c1ac6fd5fbeeca/thumbnail_310000.jpg","/articles/6094605/Town-of-Danvers/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Danvers-select-board-approves-five-year-contract-for-incoming-town-manager","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094605-c7276fbb21c7f2c6308d10554c9cc445/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443097&Signature=DD7lsbfwRvBwGmxcRLt4UCiW9CmhQFUOqmg6ACrzRxlqgwC75WFVfDg55k8KSUDevEmhugKyMOdvKrevQ3kDxe9HQc~VfAUfmaS6sPkve1xmVkoOyePFTpV~r6cTQeiqpY~VxhKkxxgxALOmLJlDMd5zhj9jzZYKk3N~IclTeOjziKrlIMHsTp2ZorlddWjeP-89dwhQ3lApKD4Xepr13X~mV4drmm2MObUep5lm-Ukr-sMj5h4AymkvK0L8vvh3AuEKWm2y3C3xdbf8rhH97C3Vo2F6Wlfock~MXs2w5nq~FctMfHJofaAleWA9q9MkHQJE8U8zhW3a1JZvwGc6Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Select Board of the Town of Danvers voted to approve a five‑year employment contract for Jill Kaye Hill, the board said, with an annual starting salary of $220,000, four weeks of vacation and up to $2,000 in moving assistance.

Board members and meeting attendees described Hill as a good fit for the town and thanked the volunteer screening committee and the negotiators who completed the contract. \"I just wanna reassure everyone that we carefully consider a number of factors when negotiating the contracts, including the market rate for the town manager in similar size communities, our budget constraints, and the needs for the town,\" Select Board member Dee said. \"Ultimately, our goal was to strike a balance that ensures we have been responsible with taxpayer money while also bringing the kind of leadership that we need for our town.\"

Select Board member Maureen, who said she had contacted references for the finalist candidates, said she heard \"wonderful things\" about Hill and called her \"very approachable\" and likely to work well with residents and boards. Select Board member Mike said the selection process had been \"quite the education\" and that he was excited for Hill to begin. Select Board member David thanked the negotiators and called their work \"very tasteful, graceful, and excellent.\"

Contract terms recorded in the meeting: a five‑year term; starting salary of $220,000; four weeks vacation (Hill had sought five); no automobile allowance; and a moving reimbursement of up to $2,000. The board voted verbally in open session to approve the contract as presented; the clerk recorded the ayes and the chair closed the vote.

Because the vote took place in public session, the board did not go into executive session on the hiring details. Board members said they would convey the signed contract to the new manager and coordinate her start date and onboarding.

The action follows the town's recent manager search and screening process; board members publicly thanked the screening committee and the negotiators who led discussions with the finalist.

The Select Board will provide administrative staff instructions to complete any required postings and personnel files associated with the appointment. The meeting record did not state a precise start date for Hill.","The Select Board approved a five-year contract for Jill Kaye Hill with a $220,000 starting salary, four weeks of vacation, and up to $2,000 for moving expenses; board members praised the hiring and thanked the negotiation team.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Danvers Select Board forwards mixed recommendations on MBTA zoning petitions after long public debate

Select Board lays out Wildwood Road, votes to discontinue portion of Toomey Street for town meeting

Danvers select board approves five-year contract for incoming town manager