Dartmouth Planning Board Defers Officer Elections, Sets Developer and Infrastructure Meetings

DARTMOUTH -- April 27, 2026, Dartmouth Planning Board defers officer elections and maps out housing and zoning priorities for the year ahead. Meeting with four of five members present after Margaret Sweet's absence, the board voted unanimously to postpone its annual leadership election to the May 11 meeting, with Chair Nick Psychopatis saying he preferred "making these appointments with all members present." The board endorsed an Approval Not Required plan for 57 Morton Avenue by a 4-0 vote and approved March 23 meeting minutes while tabling March 9 minutes for lack of a quorum of attendees. A lengthy housing discussion produced consensus on two future agenda sessions: one inviting local developers to discuss the feasibility of increased-density one- and two-bedroom units along Route 6 and Faunce Corner, and a separate session with Department of Public Works officials to assess sewer and water capacity before zoning changes advance. Member Helio Rosa warned that residential projects on Route 6 already require costly individual sewer studies because the existing infrastructure "wasn't meant to handle a residential load." The board identified a battery energy storage system bylaw, with a first workshop set for May 5, as the top new regulatory priority for fall Town Meeting, alongside an updated zoning use table and revised subdivision regulations. Alternate member Kevin Mello confirmed he will continue in that role ahead of a special permit hearing expected in early June.