Newbury Conservation Commission Approves MBTA Housing Project, Bans Wetland Crossing

NEWBURY -- June 2, 2026, Newbury Conservation Commission issues partial approval for 45-unit MBTA housing project, bans wetland crossing. The commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve the Byfield Heights residential development at 34 Central Street for buffer-zone construction while prohibiting a proposed secondary egress that required a stream crossing and wetland fill, with Harry Trout and David Clifford abstaining under the Mullen rule. Commission consultant Heidi Gaffney of Northwoods Environmental told the board the crossing "cannot be conditioned to meet the performance standards" under 310 CMR 10.056(b), a pass-fail state standard that left the board no discretionary authority to approve it. The commission also issued a conditional order for a home replacement and dock rebuild at 54 Cottage Road, requiring helical piles for all new dock pile locations and flush-cutting of any existing piles not reused, after member Mary Rimmer raised concerns about salt marsh disturbance from pile removal. Orders of conditions were also issued for the Old Newbury Golf Club tee-box and tree-removal project, with a special condition requiring agent inspection of any of the 18 buffer-zone trees before removal, and for a new single-family home at 177 Middle Road.