West Newbury Select Board Delays $2.08 Million Bond Vote, Debates River Road Grant Capacity

WEST NEWBURY — May 1, 2025 — West Newbury Select Board continues $2.08 million water bond vote and stalls on River Road erosion grant. The board postponed authorizing the sale of $2.08 million in general obligation bonds — converting short-term notes on three completed water projects into long-term debt at the town's newly reaffirmed AAA rate — after Member Christopher Wile flagged a roughly $3,500 discrepancy in competing bid totals; documents must be signed by May 5. A community advocate urged the board not to withdraw a pending MVP grant application for a comprehensive River Road alternatives analysis, citing 17 years of inaction on an erosion risk the town's own 2008 hazard mitigation plan rated high priority, while Wile and Member Barry Fogel argued that accepting the grant would overwhelm staff already stretched by two pending key-position vacancies. Town Administrator Angus Jennings acknowledged routinely working 14- to 16-hour days and said "something does need to change," but stopped short of recommending withdrawal, suggesting instead a pre-award conversation with the state grant office about shifting more grant funds to consultant project management. The board approved special event permits for the Alzheimer's Association charity ride on June 14 and a You Can road race on June 22, both with conditions requiring advance notification signage.