Select Board calls Dec. 3 special town meeting

In this report: Key decisions · Next dates · Full report · Sources

What happened

The Sherborn Select Board voted unanimously to call a special town meeting for December 3 to address a zoning boundary correction for two housing developments totaling 199 units. The board heard that the town's excess levy capacity is exhausted, facing a FY28 budget gap of about $674,000 to nearly $860,000, likely requiring the town's first Proposition 2 1/2 override in years. Board members disagreed on framing: DeRensis favored hard department budget targets, while Sichel and Tsai argued voters should choose between funding services or accepting cuts.

Key decisions

• 📋 Refer zoning boundary correction to Planning Board. Board voted unanimously to refer the EA zoning district boundary proposal to the Planning Board for its required report. The boundary correction is needed for the Coolidge Street (132 units) and Meadowbrook (67 units) housing developments to proceed to final permitting, affecting approximately 199 new housing units and expected to broaden the town's long-term tax base. (Vote Approved unanimously; Next: Dec. 3, 7 p.m.). Read case details
• 📋 Call special fall town meeting. Board voted unanimously to call a special fall town meeting for December 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Pine Hill. The warrant will address a zoning boundary correction needed for the Coolidge Street and Meadowbrook housing developments. The board also voted unanimously to open the warrant that evening and close it October 16 at noon. (Vote Approved unanimously; Next: Dec. 3, 7 p.m.). Read case details
• 🏠 Sign Woodhaven Affordable Housing Restriction. Board voted unanimously to sign the Woodhaven Affordable Housing Restriction deed restriction. Pam Dowse, appearing as Chair of Elder Housing, presented the restriction, which includes language allowing replacement of the designated affordable unit with an equivalent unit if needed. The signed restriction will be recorded at the registry of deeds. (Vote Approved unanimously). Read case details
• 👤 Appoint Pam Dowse as Finance Director. Board voted unanimously to appoint Pam Dowse as Finance Director and Town Accountant. Board members noted Dowse had been previously appointed as town collector and treasurer. (Vote Approved unanimously). Read case details
• 📝 Decommission underused Level 2 EV charger. Board voted unanimously to authorize decommissioning the Level 2 electric vehicle charger at town hall and to decline renewal of the ChargePoint service contract expiring October 23. The charger, installed roughly five years ago, was underutilized with costs exceeding revenue, and the board said it would explore future charging infrastructure options with grant funding. (Vote Approved unanimously). Read case details

Next dates

• Oct. 16: Special town meeting warrant closes at noon
• Oct. 27: Board votes on final warrant article language
• Nov. 4: Joint public hearing on zoning amendment
• Dec. 3: Special town meeting and zoning vote, 7 p.m.

Research this meeting with Townbrief AI: “What is Sherborn's FY28 budget gap that signals the need for a likely Proposition 2 1/2 override?” Ask this question

Full meeting report

The complete, section-by-section account of the meeting, 2,870 words, for members.