Newbury meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Newbury boards to review grants, subdivisions, and election prep

This week's Newbury government meetings were dominated by agenda items rather than decisions, as minutes from the past two weeks have not yet been published. The most consequential items appeared on the Select Board's Aug. 11 agenda, which included a $455,619.97 MassTrails grant for the Border to Boston project and other funding requests.

Select Board (Aug. 11)

The Select Board was scheduled to vote on accepting several grants and donations, including:

• $455,619.97 from the MassTrails program for the Border to Boston project.
• $80,000 from the MTTA for safety improvements at Boston Road and Route 1.
• $18,000 from the State 911 Emergency Medical Dispatch Grant.
• $46,908 from the Support & Incentive Grant.

The board also had on its agenda approval of seven short-term rental applications (STR-26-063 through STR-26-069) and a collective bargaining agreement with the Newbury Professional Firefighters Local 5312, to be discussed in executive session.

Conservation Commission (Aug. 18)

The Conservation Commission held a public hearing to consider certificates of compliance for completed projects at 6 Courtney Drive, 84 Boston Road, and 136 Main Street (a solar project). It also reviewed determinations of applicability for a hot tub at 1 O'Connor's Court and tree removal at Newbury Elementary School. Continued hearings covered invasive phragmites treatment off Seaview Lane and Old Pine Island Road, plus an addition at 62 Fordham Way. An enforcement order was on the agenda for unpermitted work at 1, 2, and 3 Farm View Lane. New notices of intent included a garage at 14 Pine Island Road and two homes at 23 Downfall Road.

Planning Board (Aug. 19)

The Planning Board continued a public hearing for a two-lot subdivision at 15 Central Street (applicant Michael Becker, 15 Central Byfield, LLC), with a request to continue to Sept. 2. The board also reviewed modifications to two site plan approvals: a 44-unit multi-family development at 34 Central Street (Byfield Heights) and a parking spot count change at 3 Newburyport Turnpike. It closed out an approved site plan for a 40' x 40' pavilion at Sunset Club, 2-8 Old Point Road.

Other meetings

• **Recreation Committee (Aug. 10):** Agenda included a vote on updated guidelines and pricing, protocols for concessions and food trucks, and updates on pickleball/ping pong, sunshade installation, and Town Day.
• **Library Trustees (Aug. 11):** General business meeting with no specific action items.
• **Historical Commission (Aug. 13):** Election of a new chairperson, treasurer's report, and discussion of the potential sale of #8 Green St. as an event site.
• **Council on Aging (Aug. 17):** Discussion of using van transportation to town meetings and elections.
• **Town Elections (Aug. 18):** Ballot testing for the state primary, including 50 Republican and 50 Democrat ballots.

Coming up

• **Human Resources Board (Aug. 24):** Routine personnel matters, including employee issues and safety concerns.
• **Board of Assessors (Aug. 25):** Monthly meeting to review minutes, warrants, and abatements.
• **Open Space Committee (Aug. 25):** Review of action plan progress and planning for a public feedback meeting.
• **State Primary Election (Sept. 1):** Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Morgan Ave. and Lunt St. Vote-by-mail applications are due Aug. 25. Early in-person voting runs Aug. 22–28 at Town Offices, 12 Kent Way.

Newbury boards to weigh traffic grant, housing project, tree removals

Newbury town boards held a busy week of meetings from July 28 through August 6, with agendas covering an $80,000 traffic safety grant, a modification request for a 44-unit housing development, and a public hearing on removing 45 shade trees. No minutes have been published for any of these meetings, so no decisions have been reported yet; all items remain under consideration.

Select Board (July 28)

The Select Board agenda included votes on grants, appointments, and a liquor license. The board was set to consider an $80,000 traffic safety grant for the Boston Road and Route 1 intersection, acceptance of a $4,000 equipment donation for the Newbury Town Library, and a one-day liquor license for True North Ale Company at Central Street Fields for Newbury Town Day. The board also planned to review six short-term rental applications (STR-26-063 through STR-26-067) and appoint William Graham as a part-time police officer.

Planning Board (July 29)

The Planning Board met virtually to review a request for modification of the Level II Site Plan Review for Byfield Heights, a 44-unit multi-family development at 34 Central Street in the MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District. The owner/applicant is Massachusetts Housing Opportunities Corporation, LLC. The board also planned to approve minutes from July 15 and receive liaison reports from the ZBA and Conservation Commission.

Board of Health (July 30)

The Board of Health agenda included septic variances for 14 Maple Terrace, a discussion regarding 6 Green Tree Lane, and a report from the Health Director.

Tree Warden (August 3)

The Tree Warden held a public hearing on National Grid's application to remove 45 public shade trees along eight town roads for hazard mitigation and power line clearance. Affected roads are Highfield Road, Middle Road, Orchard Street, Marsh Meadow Lane, Elm Street, Boston Road, Central Street, and School Street. The hearing is required under Massachusetts shade tree law; the full tree list is available at the Newbury Town Library and Town Hall.

Border to Boston Trail Committee (August 4)

The committee met virtually to review updates on the Newbury South (Georgetown to Byfield) and Newbury North (Byfield to Newburyport) trail segments, and to discuss Newbury Town Day on August 15. They also planned to approve minutes from June 25.

Conservation Commission (August 4)

The Conservation Commission considered Certificates of Compliance for five properties: 26 Northern Boulevard, 84 Boston Road, 136 Main Street (Borrego Solar), 18 Temple Boulevard West, and 50 Hanover Street. It also reviewed Determinations of Applicability for a hot tub at 1 O'Connor's Court and a parking expansion at 4 Bryn Mawr Way. Public hearings were scheduled for invasive phragmites management at 37 Old Pine Island Road and a deck expansion at 62 Fordham Way. The commission also addressed an enforcement order for unpermitted work at 1, 2, and 3 Farm View Lane, and discussed tree removal at Newbury Elementary.

Open Space Committee (August 4)

The committee met virtually to review and approve July 14 minutes, discuss a September 15 public meeting, and plan for Newbury Town Day.

Cultural Council (August 6)

The Cultural Council discussed ongoing plans for Newbury Town Day.

Coming up

• **Recreation Committee** – August 10, 2026: The committee will vote on updated Guidelines and Pricing documentation, confirm protocols for concessions and food trucks at fields and courts, and receive updates on pickleball/ping pong, a permanent sunshade for court users, and financial updates on recouped funds.

Newbury meeting roundup: July agendas await minutes; Tree Warden hearing on 45 tree removals set for Aug. 3

Newbury's boards met several times in late July, but minutes have not yet been published for any of those sessions, so outcomes — including votes, approvals, and appointments — are not yet confirmed in the public record. What follows is drawn from the posted agendas only.

Select Board (July 28)

The Select Board's regular meeting agenda included several consequential items:

• A vote on an $80,000 traffic safety grant for the Boston Road and Route 1 intersection.
• Acceptance of a $4,000 donation of equipment for the Newbury Town Library.
• A one-day liquor license for True North Ale Company at Central Street Fields for Newbury Town Day.
• Review of six short-term rental applications, numbered STR-26-063 through STR-26-067.
• Appointment of William Graham as part-time police officer.

Because minutes are not yet published, the results of these votes are not available.

Planning Board (July 29)

The Planning Board held a virtual meeting to consider a request for modification of the Level II Site Plan Review for Byfield Heights, a 44-unit multi-family development at 34 Central Street in the MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District. The owner and applicant is Massachusetts Housing Opportunities Corporation, LLC. The property is listed as 34 Central Street, Assessors Map R19-0-19. The agenda also included approval of July 15, 2026 meeting minutes and liaison reports from the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission.

Board of Health (July 30)

The Board of Health agenda listed septic variances for 14 Maple Terrace, a discussion regarding 6 Green Tree Lane, and a report from the Health Director. Outcomes are not yet recorded.

Council on Aging (July 20)

The Council on Aging met July 20 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council on Aging Suite. The agenda included election of officers for fiscal year 2027, discussion of van transportation to town meetings and elections, review and approval of June 8, 2026 meeting minutes, and reports from the Chair, Director, and Friends of the COA. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Tree Warden — Aug. 3:** Public hearing on National Grid's application to remove 45 public shade trees along eight town roads — Highfield Rd, Middle Rd, Orchard St, Marsh Meadow Ln, Elm St, Boston Rd, Central St, and School St — for hazard mitigation and power line clearance. Trees are marked with red ribbon; the full list is available at the Newbury Town Library and Town Hall.
• **Border to Boston Trail Committee — Aug. 4, 12:00 p.m. (virtual):** Updates on the Newbury South trail (Georgetown to Byfield segment) and Newbury North trail (Byfield to Newburyport segment), plus discussion of Newbury Town Day on August 15.
• **Conservation Commission — Aug. 4:** Certificates of Compliance for five properties, Determinations of Applicability for a hot tub at 1 O'Connor's Court and parking expansion at 4 Bryn Mawr Way, public hearings for invasive phragmites management at 37 Old Pine Island Road and a deck expansion at 62 Fordham Way, an enforcement order for unpermitted work at 1, 2, & 3 Farm View Lane, and discussion of tree removal at Newbury Elementary.
• **Open Space Committee — Aug. 4, 7:00 p.m. (virtual):** Review of July 14 minutes, planning for a September 15 public meeting, and Newbury Town Day.
• **Cultural Council — Aug. 6:** Discussion of ongoing plans for Newbury Town Day.