Newbury Appoints First Student Police Officer Under Post-Reform Recruiting Agreement

NEWBURY -- June 23, 2026, Newbury Select Board appoints first post-reform student police officer and approves new Plum Island beer-and-wine store license. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday to appoint Grace LaPoirier as a student officer effective July 20, authorizing Police Chief Fisher to execute a training-fee repayment agreement covering an investment of up to $6,500, the first such appointment under Massachusetts's post-civil-service-reform framework, which Fisher said has left the department vulnerable to losing newly certified officers to larger departments. The board also approved a Section 15 package-store liquor license for Pizza Factory Inc. at 29 Plum Island Boulevard, covering beer and wine sales from 1,890 square feet of retail space. In public comment, Human Resources Board member Mark Kleckman, citing a recent overnight medical emergency that brought police and fire-EMTs to his home, urged the board to be "bold" on the tax rate, noting Newbury's rate of roughly $7.50 per $1,000 sits near the bottom of Essex County's 35 communities. Town Administrator Tracy reported the town will receive approximately $438,000 in Chapter 90 road funding for fiscal year 2027 and that the town has received a $200,000 design grant for the River Street culvert, with total repairs estimated at $750,000.