Daily brief · Gloucester, MA
One-stop permits for solar, battery projects begin
October 1, 2026
Top story
Gloucester begins accepting consolidated permits for small clean energy projects
Starting today, the city is accepting single consolidated local permit applications for qualifying small clean energy facilities, including solar, battery storage and certain transmission and distribution projects, under state regulations issued under the 2024 Climate Act. The city must issue a decision within 12 months of receiving a complete application, and applications not decided in that window may receive constructive approval. The City General Counsel will oversee the process, and city staff are still evaluating whether to adopt a local permitting bylaw.
City of Gloucester
Planning Board subcommittee takes up open space and tree rules today
The subcommittee meets Thursday, October 1, at 3:30 PM in the City Hall Council Conference Room. It will continue discussing a draft open space residential development ordinance and tree protection regulations.
City of Gloucester
Board of Assessors meets this morning at City Hall
The board meets Thursday, October 1, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue.
City of Gloucester
Flamenkora plays The Cut tonight
The group performs Thursday, October 1, at 8 p.m. at The Cut, 177 Main Street; doors open at 7 p.m. It blends Senegalese kora and vocals with flamenco guitar and improvised trumpet.
The Cut
Mollydooker wine-pairing dinner at Beauport Hotel tonight
The four-course dinner runs Thursday, October 1, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Luke Marquis is slated to discuss the wines; reservations are required.
Discover Gloucester
Board of Health meets tonight at 5:30
The board meets Thursday, October 1, at 5:30 p.m. in the Harbor Master's Conference Room, per the city's 2026 meeting schedule.
City of Gloucester
West Gloucester church pumpkin sale open this afternoon
The West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church's pumpkin sale runs Thursday, October 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. at 488 Essex Ave. Proceeds are shared with the Navajo Nation.
Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
Artist Fiona Brehony gives closing talk at Ocean Alliance
Brehony discusses her Gloucester Harbor residency Thursday, October 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ocean Alliance, 32 Horton St.
Rocky Neck Art Colony
Gloucester field hockey hosts Danvers at 4:30 p.m.
The Gloucester High varsity team hosts Danvers today, Thursday, October 1, at 4:30 p.m.
MaxPreps
Gloucester volleyball visits Swampscott tonight
The varsity team plays a conference match at Swampscott on Thursday, October 1, at 6 p.m.
MaxPreps
Water-based oils painting workshop this afternoon
A workshop on color and light with water-based oils runs Thursday, October 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 3 Centennial Avenue.
Discover Gloucester
Hammond Castle hosts candlelight spiritualism tours tonight
The 55-minute guided tours run Thursday, October 1, from 6 to 10 p.m. at 80 Hesperus Avenue. They explore the Hammonds' interest in supernatural communication and astrology.
Discover Gloucester
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