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.