What To Know the Week of October 24: Planning Board, Spaghetti Supper, Electronics Recycling

There are plenty of opportunities for spooky fun this week, even if your idea of “spooky” is visiting the DMV. 

On Monday at 2 p.m., learn how to negotiate a job offer. The virtual session, led by Ed Lawrence, founder and principal of employment consultancy Getstart-ed, will discuss what to do after they offer you the position: When and what to negotiate, how to act and the three things you need to negotiate successfully. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Register directly on Zoom. 

Then from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., those who have yet to acquire the Mass. REAL ID can join Sandi Finnell, manager of Tewksbury’s AAA branch, to learn how to obtain this updated identification form that will eventually be required for air travel and to enter federal buildings. We’ve all heard from people who braved the DMV seeking a REAL ID but lacked the right documentation. Finnell will discuss the application process and required documents and offer tips on how to save time and be successful in one trip. This is a virtual program presented by the Tewksbury Public Library and AAA. Register directly on Zoom.  

There are many more live and virtual events happening at the Library this week for kids, teens and adults. Find a full calendar here.

Also Monday evening, the Planning Board meets in person at Town Hall. This will be the first time the board convenes since the term length for newly elected members was shortened from five years to three at Town Meeting. On the agenda are committee and the town planner’s reports and the 2022 meeting schedule. The board is also set to formally accept the mixed-use building at 725 Main St. that formerly housed Wicked Cheesy and consider several site modification requests. That list includes another mixed-use building at 30 Main St. with four residential units and professional office space that’s been in the works since the beginning of this year.

Residents may attend in person or watch the meeting on Tewksbury TV’s YouTube channel or Channel 99 (Comcast) or 33 (Verizon). 

This Tuesday is the annual Lions Club Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser to benefit the Tewksbury Community Food Pantry. Doors open at 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can enjoy salad, spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and dessert for just $10 per person. Bring a food donation and some pocket cash for raffles and a 50/50 drawing. The Lions thank the Tewksbury Country Club for hosting this event. Purchase tickets at Wamesit Lanes or via Eventbrite or Venmo @Kathleen-Descoteaux2 while they last.

Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. the Select Board will gather to discuss the 2022 redistricting plan and boundaries, as the board discussed at its last meeting. Under the current proposal — which is unlikely to change given that the Mass. constitution mandates that legislators live in their districts for a year — current senator Barry Finegold retains the entire town of Tewksbury. However, on the House side, Tewksbury will have three representatives: David Robertson, Tram Nguyen and Vanna Howard, who represent, respectively, the 19th Middlesex, 18th Essex and 17th Middlesex districts.

Howard, while unknown to most residents, did live in Tewksbury for a number of years. Residents may call in using the provided link.

Do you have chickens, or are you thinking of setting up a coop? On Wednesday evening, join the new Tewksbury Backyard Hens Group at the large Library meeting room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The group will discuss winterizing your coop and how the group will work.

Thursday sees the Zoning Board of Appeals gather at Town Hall. The ZBA will be the permitting board for the proposed 40B development at 300 Ames Pond, so expect some resident interest. Residents may attend in person or watch the meeting on Tewksbury TV’s YouTube channel or Channel 99 (Comcast) or 33 (Verizon). 

Also on Thursday, the North St. and Trahan Reuse Committee will meet in person in the small meeting room at Town Hall. On the agenda is the return of the new zoning bylaw in 2022.

Speaking of, the Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw Committee wants resident input on the draft zoning bylaw to be considered at Annual Town Meeting 2022. To see the bylaw in its current form, go to https://www.tewksbury-ma.gov/zoning-bylaw-committee and click on “Final Zoning Draft” in the left-hand column.

The Committee will hold an open public forum on Tuesday, November 2 in the Main Hall at the Tewksbury Town Hall at 6 pm. In order for the Committee to evaluate concerns of the proposed zoning bylaw, it would be beneficial to have specific references to the proposed zoning bylaw which present issues. Specific references will add to a more meaningful dialogue in this effort to correct the problems that exist in the current zoning bylaw. 

On Friday head down to the center for the town’s first annual Halloween Concert on the Common, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Local artists Leo and When Without will perform, and attendees will enjoy fall-themed lawn games, a costume contest with prizes and a visit from Tewksbury favorite The Whoo(pie) Wagon, which is offering pre-orders as well as on-site orders. Please use this link, exclusively for Tewksbury, to order treats for pickup on 10/29.

Parking will be available at Town Hall and the Annex. Town Hall Avenue will be closed to through traffic. 

Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the annual electronics recycling day at St. Williams, 1351 Main St. Residents can bring in all in all electronics, appliances and bikes, including TVs, monitors, computers, printers, microwaves, ACs, washers, dryers, lawn mowers and any item that has a plug. Find a list of the cost to recycle various items below; fees range from $5 for computers to $40 for projection TVs. No charge for cell phones, bikes or car or truck batteries. Computer hard drives will be destroyed. This event is open to anyone, not just residents. Cash is preferred but you can use a check for $30 or more. Questions? Contact GreenDayRecyclingMA@Gmail.com.

Then head over to the Tewksbury Applefest Craft Fair. This popular annual TMHS PAC fundraiser is back after a year off due to Covid. Funds raised by the PAC at the event are used for the post-graduation All Night Long party. Tewksbury looks forward to the Applefest as the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. It’s a great opportunity to buy local, from small vendors, and support the community. The 2021 Applefest will be held Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tewksbury Memorial High School. As it’s in the high school, masks are required. Anyone with questions should reach out to tmhsapplefest@hotmail.com.

And remember that Sunday is Halloween! 

Safe Halloween is on and will take place Sunday at the Tewksbury Memorial High School from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This event is hosted by the Tewksbury Police Department and is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, learn about local organizations and gather some treats. Mini ponies, a touch-a-truck competition and table games are scheduled.

For safety, the Select Board set 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as official hours to trick or treat in neighborhoods and asked motorists to use extra care.