Board reviews community mural plan and preliminarily OKs advertising; applicant seeks Hartley Road closures

At a Select Board meeting, the board took a preliminary review of the Gold Award mural project and an associated community painting day planned for July 18, 2026. Denise (planning staff) told the board the project still lacks final permit submissions and design details but that a preliminary conversation would let the applicant proceed with outreach while the application is completed.

Applicant Katerina described the mural plan as a quilt-inspired bottom half designed for community paint-by-number participation and a hand-painted landscape top half depicting Stow landmarks. "My goal is as part of my mural, I want to do a community painting day, so invite community members to come and paint a portion of the mural," she said. She told the board she has a $500 grant from the Stow Cultural Council and is seeking donations and supply assistance.

Katerina said she had contacted the school district facilities director for help cleaning the wall and that she was still waiting for final permission from the district to use the site. She asked to close Hartley Road and the Center School rear parking lot for the event; planning staff said neighbor notification and police circulation of the permit will be required and that the police department will review public-safety needs and whether police details are required.

Board members requested that Katerina consult with the Historical Commission (including potential Native American symbolism review), finalize a design (including QR code content for the superintendent to review), and provide a backup restroom plan in case school facilities are unavailable. Planning staff said the permit will circulate through departments and that final approval is expected at a future board meeting, while granting preliminary permission to advertise the event now.

Next steps: Applicant to complete permit materials and design revisions, Planning staff to circulate the permit to departments, and the board to take final action at a subsequent meeting.