Select Board approves Housing Production Plan, removes water restrictions
Manchester Select Board unanimously approved its Housing Production Plan and lifted water restrictions following improved drought conditions. The plan, required under Massachusetts housing law to secure safe harbor status, addresses housing diversity, senior housing, and accessory dwelling units;
Select Board · Meeting of September 21, 2026
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA — Manchester Select Board unanimously approved its Housing Production Plan and lifted water restrictions following improved drought conditions. The plan, required under Massachusetts housing law to secure safe harbor status, addresses housing diversity, senior housing, and accessory dwelling units; the median single-family home price of $1,380,000 requires a qualifying household income of approximately $323,000. Water restrictions were removed following the Northeast region's reclassification to Level 1 drought status on September 10.
The Board also unanimously approved revisions to the town tree policy developed with the Friends of Manchester Trees and the Department of Public Works, removing the "heritage tree" designation and updating annual reporting requirements to preserve Tree City USA status. Jennifer Saviano, a retired Coast Guard officer with a master's degree in environmental law and experience in waterways management, was unanimously appointed to the Manchester Coastal Stream Team for a term expiring June 30, 2027.
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Source: the Select Board meeting of September 21, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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