Newbury, MA

Cultural Council

The Newbury Cultural Council will meet to discuss ongoing plans for Newbury Town Day and other unspecified business.

• Ongoing plans for Newbury Town Day

Recreation Committee

The Newbury Recreation Committee will meet to discuss and vote on updated Guidelines and Pricing documentation. They will also review protocols for concessions and food trucks at fields and courts, and receive updates on pickleball/ping pong, sunshade installation, and Town Day.

• Vote on updated Guidelines and Pricing documentation
• Confirm protocols and expectations for concessions area and food trucks
• Update on pickleball/ping pong
• Update on permanent sunshade for court users
• Financial updates on recouped funds

Town Elections

This guide informs voters of the fall 2026 state primary and general election dates, deadlines, and voting methods. It details vote-by-mail, early in-person voting, and election day procedures, including ballot type selection for unenrolled voters. The document is informational only; no decisions are made.

• State Primary Election: September 1, 2026, polls open 7AM-8PM at Morgan Ave. and Lunt St.
• State Election: November 3, 2026, polls open 7AM-8PM at same locations.
• Vote-by-mail application deadline: August 25 for primary, October 27 for general election.
• Early voting in person: August 22-28 (primary) and October 17-30 (general) at Town Offices, 12 Kent Way.
• Ballot return deadline: 8PM election day for drop box, or postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 for mail.

Border to Boston Trail Committee

The Border to Boston Trail Committee will hold a virtual meeting on August 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM to review updates on the Newbury South and Newbury North trail segments and discuss Newbury Town Day. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom and will be recorded for broadcast.

• Review and approve minutes from June 25, 2026 meeting
• Updates on Newbury South B2B Trail (Georgetown to Byfield segment)
• Updates on Newbury North B2B Trail (Byfield to Newburyport segment)
• Discussion of Newbury Town Day, August 15

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will consider requests for Certificates of Compliance for five properties and two Determinations of Applicability. The body will also hold public hearings for two new project notices and address an enforcement order.

• Certificates of Compliance for 26 Northern Boulevard, 84 Boston Road, 136 Main Street (Borrego Solar), 18 Temple Boulevard West, and 50 Hanover Street
• 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
• Enforcement order for unpermitted work at 1, 2, & 3 Farm View Lane
• Discussion regarding tree removal at Newbury Elementary

Open Space Committee

The Newbury Open Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting on August 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM via Zoom to review and approve the July 14 meeting minutes, discuss the September 15 public meeting, and plan Newbury Town Day. The meeting includes updates from committee members and will adjourn at 8:00 PM.

Tree Warden

The Tree Warden will hold a public hearing on August 3, 2026, regarding National Grid's application to remove 45 public shade trees along eight town roads for hazard mitigation and power line clearance. The hearing is required under Massachusetts shade tree law.

• Public hearing on National Grid's application to remove 45 town trees
• Trees marked with red ribbon and hearing notice posted in field
• Affected roads: Highfield Rd, Middle Rd, Orchard St, Marsh Meadow Ln, Elm St, Boston Rd, Central St, School St
• Full tree list available at Newbury Town Library and Town Hall

Board of Health

The Board of Health will meet to discuss septic variances and other business. The board will also review a report from the Health Director.

• Septic variances for 14 Maple Terrace
• Discussion regarding 6 Green Tree Lane
• Health Directors Report

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold a virtual meeting to discuss a request for modification of the Level II Site Plan Review for a 44-unit multi-family development at 34 Central Street in the MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District. The board will also approve minutes from July 15, 2026, and receive reports from the ZBA and Conservation Commission.

• Request for Modification of 34 Central Street Level II Site Plan Review for Byfield Heights, a 44-unit multi-family development in the MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District
• Owner/Applicant: Massachusetts Housing Opportunities Corporation, LLC
• Property address: 34 Central Street (Assessors Map R19-0-19)
• Approval of July 15, 2026 meeting minutes
• Liaison reports from ZBA and Conservation Commission

Select Board

The Newbury Select Board will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Hearing Room of Newbury Municipal Offices. The agenda includes votes on grants totaling $80,000 for traffic safety, donations, appointments to town boards, and a one-day liquor license for Newbury Town Day. The board will also review short-term rental applications and discuss organizational goals.

• $80,000 traffic safety grant for Boston Rd and Route 1 intersection
• Acceptance of $4,000 donation of equipment for Newbury Town Library
• One-day liquor license for True North Ale Company at Central Street Fields for Town Day
• Review of 6 short-term rental applications including STR-26-063 to STR-26-067
• Appointment of William Graham as part-time police officer

Council on Aging

The Newbury Council on Aging will meet Monday, July 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the Council on Aging Suite. The agenda includes electing officers for FY27, reviewing minutes, and discussing van transportation to town meetings and elections.

• 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
• Reports from the Chair, Director, and Friends of the COA

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold continued public hearings on two special permit requests for properties on Plum Island. One hearing involves a second-story addition at 129 Northern Boulevard; the other involves razing and rebuilding a home at 15 Sunset Drive. The board may also sign an approval decision for the Sunset Drive project after the Historical Commission found the existing cottage not historic.

• Continued hearing for Peter Nikolakopoulos: special permit for height and FAR relief to add second story and roof deck at 129 Northern Boulevard, Plum Island
• Continued hearing for Gerald Fandetti: special permit for footprint and height relief to raze existing dwelling and build new single-family home on pilings at 15 Sunset Drive, Plum Island
• Approval decision to be drafted, reviewed, and signed for the Fandetti project
• Historical Commission determined on 7/9/26 that the pre-existing cottage at 15 Sunset Drive is not historic

Planning Board

The Newbury Planning Board will hold a semi-monthly meeting with a continued public hearing on a two-lot subdivision at 15 Central Street and a review of a request to release escrow funds for a site plan review project at 84 Boston Road. The meeting will also include approval of previous minutes, liaison reports, and a planners' report.

• Continued public hearing for definitive subdivision at 15 Central Street (Assessors Map U11 Lot 53)
• Request to release escrow funds for site plan review at 84 Boston Road (Assessors Map R36 Lot 23A)
• Approval of June 17, 2026 Planning Board meeting minutes

Open Space Committee

The Open Space Committee is meeting virtually to review and approve the June 17 meeting minutes, discuss Kay's scope of work for completing the Open Space Plan, and review Christina's proposed review and submittal schedule for department and committee input. The committee will also discuss next steps and assign tasks.

• Review Kay's scope of work for completing the Open Space Plan
• Review Christina's proposed review and submittal schedule for department and committee review
• Discuss next steps and assign tasks

Cultural Council

The Newbury Cultural Council will meet for general business, with updates and next steps for Newbury Town Day as the main agenda item. Other business may be added as needed.

• Updates and next steps for Newbury Town Day
• Other business TBD

The council discussed plans for Newbury Town Day on August 14, including coordination with a car show and promotional materials. It also discussed the July 28 Select Board meeting, a liquor license application, and the appointment of Mary LaBelle as a new member. No formal votes or decisions were recorded.

• Discussed coordination with car show organizers for Newbury Town Day
• Discussed finalizing promotional materials for Newbury Town Day
• Discussed volunteer signup app and event staffing
• Discussed July 28 Select Board meeting and liquor license application
• Discussed appointment of Mary LaBelle as new member

Historical Commission

The Newbury Historical Commission is holding its monthly meeting to elect a new chairperson, review minutes and the treasurer's report, discuss updates on the 1635 Website and the Lower Green LHDC, and consider correspondence regarding 15 Sunset Blvd. The commission will also address protection and movement of the Father (witch) stone.

• Vote for a new Chairperson
• Treasurer's report & Lower Green LHDC updates
• 1635 Website report
• Correspondence regarding 15 Sunset Blvd.
• Father (witch) stone – protection/movement updates

Library

The Newbury Town Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular monthly meeting covering general business. The agenda includes only procedural items: call to order, approval of minutes, reports, and old/new/other business. No specific votes, proposals, or financial items are listed.

• Approval of minutes from prior meeting
• Assistant Director’s report
• Discussion of new and old business

Recreation Committee

The Recreation Committee will discuss financial concerns raised by the Town Administrator, review protocols for concessions and food trucks at fields, and get updates on pickleball/ping pong and a permanent sunshade for court users. The meeting also includes approval of previous minutes, correspondence, bills, and applications for fields and facilities.

• Response to Financial Concerns of Town Administrator
• Confirm protocols and expectations for concessions area and food trucks; add to reservation portal
• Pickleball/Ping Pong Update
• Shading for court users (Permanent sunshade)
• Update on sign installation / Citizen’s concerns

The committee approved several operational requests for Newbury Town Day and voted to create staggered terms for its members. It also authorized the purchase of lawn bocce games for the Town Day games area.

• Approved June 1st meeting minutes
• Approved operation of a Beer Truck for Town Day (unanimous)
• Approved tent over performance stage without stakes (unanimous)
• Approved stage and tent setup Friday and takedown Monday (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of two lawn bocce games for Town Day
• Approved creation of staggered terms for Recreation Committee members

Conservation Commission

The Newbury Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing to consider several requests for Certificates of Compliance for projects at various addresses, including a never-started project at 32 School Street and a deck expansion on a primary dune at 26 Northern Boulevard. They will also review Requests for Determinations of Applicability for work on Plum Island and other locations, and continue a public hearing on a Notice of Intent for boardwalk expansion at 45 Boston Road. The meeting is virtual via Zoom.

• Certificate of Compliance for never-started project at 32 School Street (DEP #050-1105)
• Certificate of Compliance for deck and walkway expansion on primary dune at 26 Northern Boulevard (DEP #050-1390)
• RDA for hot tub installation and landscape alterations at 1 O'Connor's Court on Plum Island
• RDA for home expansion and staircase reconfiguration at 129 Northern Boulevard
• Continued public hearing on Notice of Intent for boardwalk expansion at 45 Boston Road (DEP #050-1460)

Library

The Newbury Town Library Board of Trustees is holding a special meeting on Wednesday, June 24th at 6 PM to interview a candidate for the library director position. The meeting will take place at the library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield.

• Interview with director candidate
• Discussion of job description/formulation

The Newbury Town Library Trustees unanimously voted to extend an offer to Alia Colburn to become the library director. Colburn accepted the offer. The meeting then moved into executive session to negotiate terms of employment.

• Approved minutes of 06-24-2026 special meeting (unanimous)
• Voted to extend director offer to Alia Colburn (unanimous)
• Colburn accepted the offer
• Entered executive session to negotiate director's terms

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission is holding its monthly meeting to discuss routine business including approval of prior minutes, treasurer's report, and correspondence. Notable items include a review of a public meeting regarding 25 High Rd. and updates on the protection or movement of the Father (witch) stone.

• Review of public meeting and other matters at 25 High Rd.
• Updates on protection/movement of the Father (witch) stone
• Treasurer's report and Lower Green LHDC updates (when available)
• 1635 Website report - updates if applicable

The Commission voted unanimously to designate 25 High Rd (the Grange Hall) as Preferably Preserved under DDB 1.8, triggering a 9-month demolition delay. A public hearing was held with about 30 attendees; the Commission decided to forgo a second hearing. The chair will notify the Building Inspector, and a letter to the Select Board will be drafted for the next meeting. The Commission also approved minutes from May 7 and May 14, accepted the Treasurer's report, and discussed painting and tree trimming at the Schoolhouse.

• Approved minutes of May 7 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of May 14 meeting with two minor corrections (unanimous)
• Accepted Treasurer's report as corrected (unanimous)
• Voted to forgo a second public hearing on 25 High Rd (unanimous)
• Designated 25 High Rd as Preferably Preserved under DDB 1.8 (unanimous)

Board of Health

The Newbury Board of Health will meet to discuss a septic variance request for 27 Greentree Lane and receive the Health Director's report. The agenda contains only these two substantive items plus procedural call to order and adjournment.

• 27 Greentree Lane – septic variances
• Health Director's report

Border to Boston Trail Committee

The Border to Boston Trail Committee will meet virtually to discuss updates on the Newbury South and North segments of the trail. The meeting is for general business and will include review and approval of previous meeting minutes. No votes or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Review and approve minutes from May 28, 2026 meeting
• Update on Newbury South B2B Trail (Georgetown to Byfield segment)
• Update on Newbury North B2B Trail (Byfield to Newburyport segment)

Library

The Newbury Town Library Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to interview a candidate for the library director position. The agenda includes a call to order, the interview, and other business as needed.

• Interview with director candidate

The Newbury Town Library Trustees held a special meeting to conduct a second interview with director candidate Alia Colburn. No decisions were made; the meeting was solely for discussion and questioning.

• No decisions were made; the meeting was a second interview with candidate Alia Colburn

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors is holding its monthly meeting to review prior minutes, discuss warrants, abatements, and exemptions if any, and schedule the next meeting. No substantive decisions or public hearings are listed on the agenda.

• Review prior meeting minutes
• Warrants/Commitments, if any
• Abatements/Exemptions, if any
• Public comment/correspondence, if any
• Schedule next meeting

Select Board

The Newbury Select Board will meet on June 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Offices to conduct general business, including votes on liquor license applications, public property use requests, committee re-appointments, and short-term rental permits. The meeting will also feature a public hearing for a new off-premises wine license and a review of ADA compliance documents.

• Public hearing for The Pizza Factory Inc. at 29 Plum Island Blvd for a new off-premises wine & malt beverages license
• Vote on one-day liquor licenses for Ipswich Ale Brewery at Spencer Pierce Little Farm (5 Little’s Lane) for multiple baseball events
• Vote on public property use requests for a beach wedding (Sylvia Cole) and Purple Heart Wreath Ceremony (William DiMaio) at WWII Monument on Main Street
• Vote on re-appointments for multiple committees (e.g., Conservation Commission, Recreation Committee) and police department roles
• Vote on approval of 2026 short-term rental applications (e.g., STR-26-058 at 12 Girard Way)

Human Resources

The Newbury Human Resources Board will meet to discuss employee issues, personnel actions and job vacancies, workplace/ethics/discrimination issues, and safety issues. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific proposals, dollar amounts, or public hearings listed.

• Employee Issues discussion
• Personnel Actions and Job Vacancies review
• Workplace/Ethics/Discrimination Issues discussion
• Safety Issues discussion

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold continued public hearings on two special permit requests for properties on Plum Island. One hearing is continued to July 16 at the applicant's request; the other will proceed with review of new supplemental information.

• Peter Nikolakopoulos (129 Northern Blvd): special permit for second-story addition and roof deck; hearing continued to July 16
• Gerald Fandetti (15 Sunset Dr): special permit to raze existing home and build new single-family dwelling on pilings with garage; new architect/engineer info to be reviewed

Open Space Committee

The Open Space Committee is meeting virtually to review and approve prior meeting minutes, discuss final edits to the Action Plan narrative, and determine next steps. The agenda is largely procedural, with no votes on specific projects, contracts, or public hearings listed.

• Review and approve June 2 meeting minutes
• Discuss final edits to the Action Plan narrative
• Review edits to the Action Plan

The Open Space Committee reviewed and live-edited the Action Plan for the Open Space Plan, adjusting objectives, timing, and potential funding sources. The committee added Objective 3.6 to include studying water quality in Newbury’s waterways to enhance water-based recreation. No final decisions were made; continued review of remaining objectives was deferred to the next meeting. The June 2, 2026 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

• Approved June 2, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Added Objective 3.6 on water quality study to the Action Plan
• Live-edited objectives, timing column, and funding sources in the Action Plan
• Deferred continued review of remaining objectives to next meeting

Library

The Newbury Town Library Board of Trustees is meeting for a regular monthly session. The agenda consists of standard procedural items including approval of minutes, reports, and discussion of new and old business. No specific decisions or notable actions are listed.

• Approval of minutes from previous meeting
• Assistant Director's report
• Discussion of new business
• Discussion of old business
• Setting next meeting date

The Newbury Town Library Trustees approved minutes from two prior meetings and discussed operational updates including heat pump installation, summer reading program, and a one-day beer/wine license for a baseball league event. No formal votes were taken on substantive matters beyond the minutes.

• Approved minutes of 05-20-2026 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of 05-13-2026 special meeting (unanimous)
• No objection to one-day beer/wine license for Byfield Newbury Baseball Softball League (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Newbury Planning Board will hold a virtual meeting to discuss a proposed 40Y Starter Home Zoning introduction by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, a modification request for a 44-unit multi-family development at 34 Central Street, and a partial release of security funds for the Cypress Hollow Subdivision at 100 High Road.

• Introduction to 40Y Starter Home Zoning by Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
• Request for Modification of 34 Central Street Level II Site Plan Review for Byfield Heights, a 44-unit multi-family development in the MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District
• Request for partial release of security funds for Cypress Hollow Subdivision at 100 High Road

The Planning Board approved a partial release of $19,150 from the security account for the Cypress Hollow subdivision at 100 High Road, leaving $19,412 remaining. The board also heard a presentation on 40Y Starter Home Zoning from the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and discussed a modification request for the 34 Central Street multi-family development, but took no final action on that item.

• Approved June 3, 2026 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Released $19,150 from Cypress Hollow subdivision security account, leaving $19,412 (4-0; Chair Knight recused)
• Discussed but took no vote on 34 Central Street site plan modification for Byfield Heights

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission will hold a public meeting to discuss the application from the Newbury Select Board for the demolition of 25 High Rd under the town's Demolition Delay Bylaw. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Newbury Municipal Offices.

• Public hearing on demolition application for 25 High Rd by the Newbury Select Board

The Newbury Historical Commission held a public hearing on the proposed demolition of the former Town Hall at 25 High Rd. The meeting was informational only; no decision was made. The Commission will vote within 14 days on whether to invoke a 90-day demolition delay under the Demolition Delay Bylaw (DDB).

• No decision made; public hearing held on 25 High Rd. demolition delay
• Commission to vote on 90-day delay within 14 days

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Larkin Dam removal at the Larkin Dam site on Larkin Road. This is a ceremonial event, not a decision-making meeting.

• Larkin Dam Removal Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Larkin Dam Site, Larkin Road