West Newbury Planning Board Sets October 7 Date for MBTA Communities Public Hearing

WEST NEWBURY -- September 2, 2025, West Newbury Planning Board sets October 7 for MBTA zoning public hearing and introduces new town planner. The board, chaired by Ann Bardeen, unanimously endorsed a lot-line adjustment at 591 Main Street at its September 2 meeting and approved the procedural steps needed to hold a public hearing on the MBTA Communities zoning bylaw before November Town Meeting, where the measure must pass to preserve the town's eligibility for state grants. New Town Planner Christopher Riley, attending his first meeting, confirmed that a $45,000 Town Meeting appropriation for a master plan visioning consultant is ready to deploy, with a procurement process expected to take roughly six months. Member Ray Cook stated plainly that the Planning Board had been "pretty much excluded from the process since Spring Town Meeting" on site selection and expressed concern the board would face public anger at the hearing for a decision it did not drive. Select Board member Wendy Reed, who attended to brief the board on the Select Board's fiscal year 2026 priorities, said roughly 50 to 60 people turned out to the late-August Select Board meeting where the Housing Authority property was chosen as the preferred site, and that the reception was "generally favorable."