BOXFORD – The Town of Boxford Select Board will host a public information session at its meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, to discuss the Town’s ongoing evaluation of potentially joining the North Shore Regional 911 Center (NSR911). The session will take place at Boxford Town Hall beginning at 6:30 PM, and residents are strongly encouraged to attend and learn more about this important initiative.
The June 16th session will offer an overview of the NSR911 Center’s services and operations, the potential benefits of regionalized emergency communications, and the process Boxford would follow to become a member community. The Town’s public safety leaders and staff will be available to answer questions and provide context on how membership could impact emergency response in Boxford.
“Joining the North Shore Regional 911 Center could bring significant benefits to the community,” said Town Administrator Matt Coogan. “The Center is fully staffed, uses the latest emergency communications technology, provides access to accurate and timely data, and has the potential to reduce dispatch times — all at no cost to the Town. It’s an opportunity to modernize our public safety infrastructure and strengthen emergency response.”
Boxford’s exploration of regional dispatch services follows a key recommendation in the Hanifen Report, a recently completed comprehensive assessment of the Town’s emergency response operations. The report, commissioned by the Town’s Emergency Response Advisory Committee, strongly endorses joining NSR911 as a way to improve service quality and long-term sustainability.
The findings of the Hanifen Report were presented publicly on May 21st, and both the presentation and video recording are available on the Town website at: https://www.boxfordma.gov/684/Exploring-Membership-in-the-North-Shore-
In January 2025, the Select Board signed a Letter of Intent with the North Shore Regional 911 Center and the State 911 Department to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate whether and how Boxford could join the regional center, located in Middleton. That study was completed this month and confirms that Boxford can successfully join the Center, which currently serves eight communities, including neighboring Tri-Town partners Topsfield and Middleton. The center is fully funded by the State, and Boxford could become a member without any local cost or fees. The full feasibility study and a recording of its public presentation are also available on the Town’s project webpage.
“We hope residents will take the time to review these materials and join us on June 16th,” said Select Board Chair Margaret Chow-Menzer. “This is a critical decision for the future of public safety in Boxford. The more our residents understand the process and benefits, the better informed our community will be moving forward.”
For more information and to access all project documents, visit the Town’s dedicated project page:
https://www.boxfordma.gov/684/Exploring-Membership-in-the-North-Shore-
