Douglas Panel Charts Next Steps on Riverfront Land

Other Committee · Meeting of October 21, 2026

Douglas's Economic Development Commission mapped out next steps on a riverfront brownfields parcel and weighed reuse options for the vacant former grammar school. Member Bob Merrick said an outside consultant's eight-step process for the so-called Joplin property was "not as bad as I originally thought," while member Meg Schlessman said she and Merrick will attend a Monday brownfields seminar before committing to a phase-one environmental study. Members debated whether the parcel should go to the town directly or through a Conservation Commission conveyance, with one member warning a conservation deed is "like an act of Congress" to later amend.

On the shuttered grammar school, members floated medical offices, modeled on Uxbridge's Tri-River complex, or housing, after prior requests for proposals drew no bids. The commission voted 3-0 with two abstentions to accept its September 2 minutes and adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

In the full story:

• Call to Order and Attendance
• Brownfields Strategy for the Joplin Property
• CMRPC Grant Opportunities
• Website Update
• Old Grammar School Reuse Options
• Farm Zoning for Small Restaurants and Zoning Recodification
• Strip Mall Land and Data Center Discussion
• Minutes and Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,516 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of October 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

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