Board tables Fairview Avenue lot split, no quorum

Planning Board · Meeting of October 28, 2026

DUDLEY — The Dudley Planning Board tabled a vote on a Fairview Avenue lot-division application after two members recused themselves, leaving no quorum to act. Chairman David Durgin, participating by phone, abstained along with Clerk Thomas Chojnacki and Vice-Chairman Guy Horne, citing ties to the applicant. The dispute centered on whether a parcel labeled Lot 6.1 and an unbuilt section of Joseph Street stemmed from an unclosed 1980s subdivision, requiring a formal modification, or a simple 1986 approval-not-required plan, as the applicant's engineer argued.

One member objected that the town planner, identified only as Bruce, contacted the applicant directly despite knowing "they're represented by lawyers." Members noted state law could result in "constructive approval" if the board does not act within 21 days. Separately, the planner reported the town's ADU bylaw hearing notice was published two days short of the required 14, jeopardizing a planned second attempt at the May Town Meeting.

In the full story:

• Minutes and Opening
• ANR 31335, Fairview Avenue
• Status Report: Subdivisions and Site Plans
• Planner's Report: SOAR Moratorium and ADU Bylaw
• Scheduling and Closing Items
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,985 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.