Dartmouth Planning Board Backs Grant Bid for First Farmland Cost Study Since 2005

Planning Board · Meeting of January 26, 2026

Dartmouth Planning Board unanimously backs Agricultural Commission's bid for a state grant to fund a new Cost of Community Services study. The board voted 5-0 at its January 26 meeting to send a letter of support for an application through the state's EcoOneStop grant portal, which could yield up to $50,000 under the EOEEA Planning Assistance Grant or a larger award under the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, with a possible climate component included. Karen Pettinelli, a Principal Natural Resource Planner with SRPEDD, presented the grant opportunity, noting the last such study was completed in 2005.

Chair Nicholas Psichopaidas said the board currently cannot answer residents' basic questions about the fiscal impact of new housing and development: "To be very transparent, I can't answer those questions." The board also authorized Planning Director Daniel Gioiosa to work with the Agricultural Commission on a potential zoning article to reduce the minimum farmhouse lot size in the Single Residence B district from two acres to one acre or less, and voted 4-1 to send a standard comment letter to MassDEP on a proposed pier extension at 19 Smith's Way, with Vice Chair Lorri-Ann Miller abstaining.

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Source: the Planning Board meeting of January 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.