Planning Board continues public hearings for 10 and 20 Barefoot Road to May 5

The Town of Northborough Planning Board on Thursday voted to continue two public hearings for properties at 10 and 20 Barefoot Road to its next meeting on May 5, with the hearings scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.

Planning Board member Millie Milton told colleagues the board had received “a lot of emails from Tetra Tech and others” and encouraged members to send bylaw- or waiver-related questions to staff ahead of the continued hearing so the planner can prepare answers. “If you have a question about a bylaw or a waiver and it's something staff can help you with, then I think it's good if we try to do that before the next meeting,” she said.

Board members discussed scheduling order for May 5, debating whether a three‑lot subdivision or the Barefoot Road hearings should go first. Staff noted putting both Barefoot items at 6:00 p.m. could allow flexibility if one applicant is unavailable. After a brief procedural exchange about timing and presentation length, the board moved to continue each hearing.

A motion to continue the public hearing for 10 Barefoot Road to May 5 at 6:00 p.m. was moved, amended on the floor and approved by roll call; recorded ayes included Bill Pierce, Millie Milton and Carter Brannon. The board then moved and approved a separate continuance for 20 Barefoot Road to May 5 at 6:00 p.m.; the chair confirmed both motions carried by majority vote.

The board said staff would reach out to applicants and to the planner in advance of May 5 to ensure the packet addresses bylaw and waiver questions raised in public comment. The Planning Board reserved additional time on the May 5 agenda for the subdivision and the Barefoot Road hearings, and members reiterated that they would not discuss substantive matters among themselves outside the public meeting.