North Shore Task Force (NSTF)
The North Shore Task Force (NSTF) is a Greater Boston subregion of sixteen (16) communities: Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Hamilton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield, and Wenham, working collaboratively on regional issues.
NSTF works to facilitate communication between communities through the participation of Town staff, local officials, and community stakeholders involved with planning issues, in concert with MAPC staff.
We assist participating communities in setting an agenda for action on planning topics including issues of housing and land use, and other planning issues which, if thoughtfully addressed, will allow the region to retain its character and its desirability as a place to live and work.
Your Subregional Coordinator:
Sarah Scott, [email protected]
NSTF | About
Work Plans
Our Goals
The current goals of the NSTF are:
- Create a space for peer support for planners and municipal staff
- Provide a pathway for resource-sharing and information-gathering
- Serve as a container for innovation and project development
- Offer opportunities for leadership development
NSTF | Meetings and Events
Meeting and Events Archive
Upcoming Meetings and Events
December 2025 - no meeting
March 20, 2026 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
NSPC and NSTF 2026 Joint Spring Legislative Breafast
Salem Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA
Register to Join Us
April 9, 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
In-person - location to be determined
Topic: Community Exchange and Workplan Discussion
May 21, 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
In-person - location to be determined
Topic: Vision Zero and Safe Streets
Guest speakers: Ali Kleyman, Boston Region MPO; Travis Pollack, MAPC
June 18, 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Remote - Zoom (email [email protected] for link)
Topic: DataCommon and Community Data Needs
Guest speakers: Alexa DeRosa and Stephen Larrick, MAPC
NSTF | Communities
NSTF Subregion
Description: A map of the NSTF subregion. A gray colored map with the sixteen communities of the subregion - Ipswich, Topsfield, Hamilton, Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Middleton, Wenham, Manchester, Danvers, Beverly, Peabody, Salem, Marblehead, Swampscott, Nahant, in green.
Communities
NSTF | Projects
MAPC is currently working with communities on the following projects in the subregion:
Beverly
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- Regional Community Interpreter
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- Massachusetts Municipal DEI Coalition
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
- Regional Community Interpreter
Danvers
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- Regional Community Interpreter
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bylaw
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Massachusetts Municipal DEI Coalition
Essex
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- Housing Production Plan
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Open Space and Recreation Plan
- Cape Ann MARCH and the Neighborhood Resiliency Project
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Gloucester
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- Digital Equity Public Wifi Feasibility Study
- Cape Ann MARCH and the Neighborhood Resiliency Project
- Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Housing Production Plan
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Hamilton
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- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Ipswich
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- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Manchester-by-the-Sea
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- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Cape Ann MARCH and the Neighborhood Resiliency Project
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Marblehead
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- Comprehensive Master Plan
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Short-Term Rental Bylaws
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- Resilient by Design: Cooling Marblehead’s Housing for the Future
Middleton
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- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Nahant
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- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
Peabody
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- Health and Human Services Tracing Grant
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
Rockport
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- Cape Ann MARCH and the Neighborhood Resiliency Project
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Salem
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- Jefferson Avenue Corridor Plan
- Digital Equity Plan
- Bluebikes Bike Share Coordination
- Opioid Settlement Fund Disbursement Strategy
- Community Heat Resilience Pilot
- Residential Parking Utilization Analysis
- Massachusetts Municipal DEI Coalition
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
Swampscott
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- Community Master Plan
- Hazard Mitigation Plan
- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
Topsfield
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- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project
Wenham
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- North Shore Cape Ann Public Health Coalition
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Regional Mass Care and Sheltering Project