Board of Health Backs Town Extension Request, but Only with Fire Safety Conditions

TEWKSBURY -- January 15, 2026, Tewksbury Board of Health conditionally backed the town's EFSB extension request in the Hillman battery storage case, 4-0. The board voted Thursday to assent to the town's motion pushing its pre-filed testimony deadline to February 6, but only if the town delivers all fire safety data and a Health, Community Agreement appendix to the board and the public by January 23, and if the Energy Facilities Siting Board agrees to extend the discovery period from the date of that filing, a condition that would push back all subsequent proceedings, including hearings now set to open February 9. Town Manager appeared before the board to outline a compressed timeline: a joint public meeting with the Select Board on January 28, Select Board action on the Host Community Agreement February 3, and EFSB hearings beginning February 9 on a project valued at between $109 million and $150 million. Board members repeatedly challenged why expert fire safety testimony was tied to completion of HCA negotiations rather than prepared independently, with the board's chair stating that "the need for last-minute extensions and rushed review is in part a result of Board of Health not being brought into this process at the onset." Several residents urged the board to oppose the extension outright, citing the absence of a completed evacuation plan after more than a year of project development.