West Newbury meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

West Newbury boards weigh development, septic variance, water rates; no decisions yet

West Newbury's boards and committees met over the past two weeks on a range of items, from a proposed housing development and a septic system variance to water purchase rates and election preparations. None of the meetings have published minutes yet, so no official decisions are reported here. The agendas are summarized below.

Development and zoning

The Planning Board held public hearings on two development proposals. One was a Special Permit and Site Plan Review for an Open Space Preservation Development at 187 Main Street (R2-41) by The Poppies, LLC. The other was a Special Permit for a Reduced Frontage Lot and Common Driveway at 20 Ash Street (R9-9D) by Sarkis Development. The board also reviewed a draft FY26 Annual Report, received a status update on bylaws passed at the 2025 Fall and 2026 Spring Town Meetings, and was introduced to Denise McClure as Interim Planning Consultant.

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on an administrative appeal by Sandra Raymond of the Building Commissioner's decision not to take enforcement action at 22 Main Street (Map R1, Lots 1, 2, 3), the Pentucket Regional Middle/High School. The board also discussed updates to its rules and regulations, reviewed a draft FY26 annual report, and discussed Chapter 40A updates and a possible workshop.

The Conservation Commission heard a notice of intent for a driveway crossing a wetland at 0 Middle Street (DEP#78-788), continued to September 14. It also considered a request for tree removal at 58 Ash Street, and certificates of compliance for 9 Marshall Drive (DEP#78-123, #78-205), 7 Garden Street (#78-773), and 154 Middle Street (#78-769). Discussions covered wetland fill at 13 Steed Ave, tree cutting at 48 Georgetown Road, the wetlands bylaw, and Riverbend parking and fowling.

Boards and health

The Select Board met on August 10 with an agenda that included the annual appointment of the Town Clerk as Chief Election Officer, appointment of primary and alternative voting members to the Whittier Regional Agreement Amendment Committee (RAAC), and discussion of next steps for RAAC.

The Board of Assessors reviewed motor vehicle abatement reports, apportionments, rollback taxes, the LA3 item, and discussed Fall Town Meeting.

The Board of Health continued a hearing on a septic system variance for 885 Main Street, tied to converting St. John's Hall into housing on the Saint John the Evangelist property (914 Main Street / Emery Lane). It also reviewed three septic plans: 64 South Street #C26-17 (Millenium Engineering), 157 Crane Neck Street #C26-31 (Millenium Engineering), and Lot #1 Eagle's Nest #26-7 (Chongris Engineering). The board rescheduled its September meeting from September 8 to September 15, 2026.

The Board of Water Commissioners discussed a rate study and master plan with Tighe & Bond, considered a resident's abatement application, and discussed new Town Meeting articles and the FY2027 water purchase budget.

The Energy and Sustainability Committee discussed decarbonization plan revisions, including hybrid heat pump/gas equipment, and received a status update on EV chargers. It also reviewed a 2018 microgrid report and a 2023 solar site survey report.

The Open Space Committee had an agenda that included a vote for a member to the Community Preservation Committee, discussion of the Knapp Property and the Open Space and Planning Department, a petition for periodic closure of Ash Street, and updates on the Sawmill Brook Trail, an October Walk, and the Action Plan.

The Cultural Council met to approve May minutes and update its grant application criteria. The Historical Commission discussed the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, a historic sites survey, an oral history project, antique houses and plaques, and historic markers.

The Planning/Career Center Committee (regional) met to approve minutes from June 16, 2026, and vote on a policy update to the MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board (MMVWB) Interagency Training Agreement regarding a residency waiver. It also received performance, budget, and career center updates.

Coming up

• **Parks & Recreation Commission** – Aug. 24: Action Cove CPC application, toy dumping, pickleball repairs, fall project ideas.
• **Board of Water Commissioners** – Aug. 25: FY2027 Newburyport water purchase rates, Tighe & Bond follow-up, MTTA grant and cell tower RFP.
• **Town Clerk** – Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.: Voting machine testing for the Sept. 1 State Primary at Town Clerk's Office, 381 Main St.
• **Town Governance Committee** – Aug. 25: review of Community Paradigm Associates recommendations, organizational assessment, Town Manager search timeline.
• **Mill Pond Committee** – Aug. 26: special permit requests, trail marking, family events, invasive species management.
• **Town Clerk** – Aug. 27 at 8:30 a.m. and Aug. 28 at 8:30 p.m.: advanced removal of early ballots for the State Primary. Observers must register with the Town Clerk.

West Newbury boards weigh water bills, school costs, and permits; decisions not yet published

West Newbury's municipal boards met over the past two weeks to consider water bill adjustments, school funding formulas, and conservation permits, but none of the meetings have published minutes yet, so no official decisions are known. The most consequential items on the agendas involved money and land use.

Water board takes up abatement and rate study

The Board of Water Commissioners met July 28 with an agenda that included a vote on Dawn Fairbanks' application for an abatement or adjustment of her water bill. The board also planned to follow up on a written warranty acknowledgment from DeFelice for Church Street repairs, and to review a rate study and master plan prepared by Tighe & Bond. A draft Enterprise Fund User Charges template was up for discussion and possible approval. No outcome has been reported.

Regional school agreement committee considers cost allocation

The Whittier Regional Agreement Amendment Committee (RAAC) met July 29 to discuss school enrollment capacity and a draft Regional Agreement. The committee intended to vote on proposed capital cost allocation methods and on whether to refer its report and the draft agreement to the School Committee. An updated working draft of the Regional Agreement was also presented. These items could affect how the town shares costs for the regional school district, but no votes have been published.

Conservation Commission reviews driveway, tree removal, and fence permits

The Conservation Commission held public meetings on August 3 for several permit applications. These included driveway construction at 0 Middle Street (NOI R22-2B), tree removal at 360 Main Street (RDA R13-3), and fence installation at 27 Rivercrest (RDA R1-93). The commission also reviewed certificates of compliance for a subdivision road and houses at 9 Marshall Drive (DEP#78-123 and DEP#78-205). Additional discussions covered wetland fill, sanctioned parking, and bylaw updates. No decisions have been released.

Planning board discusses Eagle's Nest subdivision and zoning changes

The Planning Board met August 4 to review the status of the Eagle's Nest Subdivision and proposed changes to zoning and general bylaws. The agenda included staffing updates regarding an interim planner, as well as routine reports from the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, the Affordable Housing Trust, and the Community Preservation Committee. Public hearing notices and notices of decisions were also listed. No minutes are available yet.

Housing authority meets twice with no substantive items

The West Newbury Housing Authority held two meetings during the period—July 28 and August 6—but both agendas contained only procedural items, such as reviewing and approving prior minutes. No specific decisions, proposals, or discussions were listed.

Coming up

The Historical Commission will meet on August 20 to discuss local history projects. The agenda includes the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, a historic sites survey, an oral history project, antique houses and plaques, and historic markers. Residents interested in preservation efforts may want to attend.

West Newbury boards weigh rent increases, water abatement, and regional school costs in busy July stretch

Several West Newbury boards and commissions held meetings in the second half of July, with agendas covering proposed rent increases for Pipestave properties, a resident's water bill abatement, and the long-running debate over how capital costs are shared among Whittier Tech member towns. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for discussion or votes — not confirmed outcomes.

Housing Authority: Pipestave rent increases on the agenda

The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners met July 23 with a scheduled vote on proposed rent increases for Pipestave properties and a vote to elect a member to the Community Preservation Committee from the West Newbury Housing Authority. The agenda also included review and approval of meeting minutes and correspondence. A second Housing Authority meeting on July 28 listed no required board actions beyond approving prior minutes.

Water Commissioners: abatement vote, Church Street warranty, rate study

The Board of Water Commissioners met July 28 to vote on Dawn Fairbanks' application for an abatement or adjustment to her water bill. The board was also scheduled to follow up on a written warranty acknowledgment from DeFelice for Church Street repairs, review a Tighe & Bond rate study and master plan with the Town Manager and Town Counsel, and discuss or approve a draft Enterprise Fund User Charges template.

Whittier cost allocation moves toward a vote

The Select Board on July 23 took up a request to consider the Whittier Tech Regional Agreement Amendment Committee's (RAAC) capital cost allocation formula. The board also discussed a Town Center traffic calming study by TEC, Inc., and planned executive sessions on a potential intermunicipal agreement with Newburyport and collective bargaining strategy with IBEW/Water Union. No votes were scheduled on those items.

The RAAC itself met July 29 with plans to vote on proposed capital cost allocation methods and whether to refer the RAAC report and draft Regional Agreement to the School Committee. The committee was also scheduled to review an updated working draft of the Regional Agreement and discuss school enrollment capacity, design, and policy considerations.

Conservation Commission: four wetland projects under review

The Conservation Commission met July 20 to hear four Notices of Intent affecting wetlands: driveway construction across bordering vegetated wetland at 0 Middle Street (continued to August 3), gangway installation at the Mill Pond dock at 603 Main Street, a single-family home rebuild at 1 Old Wharf Road, and a septic system upgrade at 505 Main Street. The commission also had Certificate of Compliance requests for 9 Marshall Drive, 7 Garden Street, and 15 Bachelor Street (pickleball court).

Planning Board: pickleball close-out, slope zoning

The Planning Board met July 21 to consider closing out the Pickleball project and discuss updates to zoning bylaws regarding slopes. The agenda included review of March 17, 2026 minutes and reports from MVPC, the Affordable Housing Trust, CPC, the Town Governance Committee, and the Land & Building Administrator.

Coming up

• **Conservation Commission — Aug. 3:** Public meetings on driveway construction at 0 Middle Street (NOI R22-2B), tree removal at 360 Main Street (RDA R13-3), and fence installation at 27 Rivercrest (RDA R1-93). Certificates of compliance are on the agenda for subdivision road and roadway/houses at 9 Marshall Drive.
• **Planning Board — Aug. 4:** Discussion on the status of the Eagle's Nest Subdivision and proposed zoning and general bylaw changes. The agenda includes an interim planner staffing update and routine committee reports.