Littleton Select Board Holds MBTA Zoning Articles, Eyes April Decision Before Print Deadline

LITTLETON — March 25, 2024 — Littleton Select Board defers MBTA zoning articles, appoints interim fire chief at marathon warrant session. Meeting jointly with the Finance Committee, the board reviewed a 36-article draft warrant for the May 7 annual town meeting anchored by a $59,625,819 operating budget, voting to recommend the bulk of the warrant while placing holds on seven articles including two Planning Board MBTA Communities zoning articles that members said risk confusing voters and tanking $14 million in state grants. "I think 34 is such a long shot that the damage it will absolutely do at town meeting is not worth the very low percentage that the governor said yes," said board member Fred Fennick of an article that would have added 150 units at 550 King Street as an alternative to rezoning near Foster Street. The board unanimously appointed Deputy Fire Chief Sean Coffey as interim fire chief from April 1 through May 31, 2024 while contract talks continue with a permanent chief candidate. The board also voted to authorize $720,000 in ARPA funds for sewer betterment payments and $280,000 for partial HVAC replacement at Littleton High School, and regraded a Building Department position from Grade 8 to Grade 9, retroactive to July 1, 2023, on a 4-0-1 vote.