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.