Wenham Select Board Orders Cherry Street Survey, Withdraws Route 97 Speed Limit Request

WENHAM -- May 12, 2026, Wenham Select Board authorizes Cherry Street boundary survey and approves landmark $2.425 million conservation deal. The board voted 4-0 at its May 12 meeting to commission a survey of abutting properties at 24 and 26 Cherry Street, not to exceed $5,000, after member Ben Deyeso presented evidence of a boundary discrepancy that could affect structures the Hurley family of 26 Cherry Street has used for more than two decades. The survey comes as DCAM prepares to dispose of the state-owned 24 Cherry Street parcel, with the town's working group targeting up to three affordable units and site plan review requirements. In a separate unanimous vote, the board approved a $2.425 million purchase and sale agreement for conservation restrictions on roughly 116.9 acres at 9 and 51 Maple Street, funded by $2 million from the town's Conservation Fund and a $425,000 state land grant. The board also held a joint session with the Water Commission, which reported receiving a new $447,000 MassDEP grant and is weighing a stand-alone $12 million PFAS treatment plant against an estimated $8 million transmission line to Hamilton's existing facility, with feasibility data expected after July. The board voted unanimously to withdraw a pending application to reduce the Route 97 speed limit to 25 mph, citing the police chief's assessment that the current 40 mph limit is appropriate.