West Newbury Select Board Appoints Two Police Officers, Advances Pickleball Court Bid

WEST NEWBURY -- October 2, 2025, West Newbury Select Board appoints two police officers and advances pickleball court bidding at October 2 meeting. The board voted unanimously to appoint Sean Santiago, a fully academy-trained officer from the Methuen Police Department, as a full-time officer, and Matthew Pinsky as a reserve officer at a minimum of four shifts per month through June 30, 2026, moves Town Manager Angus Ramsay said would bring the department to full staffing levels. An invitation for bids on the pickleball court construction was issued October 1 with bids due October 15, targeting a fall groundbreaking for a base-course paving installation before winter. The board also unanimously approved a revised housing production plan removing the Bray Hill property and adding language about 187 Main Street and the Mullen property for resubmission to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Retired town employees, led by former police department employee Lisa Holmes, appealed to the board to prioritize increasing the retiree health insurance contribution from the state minimum of 50 percent, with Holmes citing monthly Medicare and Medigap costs of $912; the board directed Ramsay to assess the staff work required to bring the matter to a policy decision. The board set an October 16 deadline for a report on signature-gathering progress for the Bray Hill Terrace citizens petition, with a decision on winter snow removal to follow.