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
October 29, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2025 Fall Council Meeting (in-person)
Robbins Memorial Town Hall Auditorium, Arlington, MA
Register for the Fall Council Meeting
November 20, 2025 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Remote - Zoom (email [email protected] for link)
Topic: Land Use Approaches to Sustainable Transportation
Guest speaker: Adi Nochur, Senior Transportation Planner (MAPC)
December 2025 - no meeting
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
- Massachusetts Municipal DEI Coalition
- Regional Community Interpreter
Danvers
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- Regional Community Interpreter
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bylaw
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Massachusetts Municipal DEI Coalition
Essex
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- Emergency Preparedness Coalition
- Housing Production Plan
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
- Open Space and Recreation Plan
Gloucester
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- Emergency Preparedness Coalition
- Digital Equity Public Wifi Feasibility Study
Hamilton
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- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
Ipswich
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- Emergency Preparedness Coalition
Manchester-by-the-Sea
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- Emergency Preparedness Coalition
- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
Marblehead
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- Comprehensive Master Plan
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Short-Term Rental Bylaws
Middleton
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- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
Nahant
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- n/a
Peabody
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- Health and Human Services Tracing Grant
Rockport
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- Emergency Preparedness Coalition
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
Swampscott
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- Community Master Plan
- Hazard Mitigation Plan
Topsfield
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- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative
Wenham
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- North Shore Regional IT Collaborative