Newbury Conservation Commission approves Upper Green Pond restoration with monitoring conditions

Conservation · Meeting of February 3, 2026

Newbury Conservation Commission greenlights Upper Green Pond restoration, continues Plum Island beach access hearing. The commission voted unanimously at its February 3 meeting to issue a negative determination for a town-sponsored water quality project at Upper Green Pond, approving installation of a surface aerator, probiotic bacterial sediment treatment, and a native-plant buffer strip, subject to conditions including a pre- and post-water quality monitoring plan and 14-day notice before any herbicide use. Conservation Agent Mason Ferrick, presenting for the DeRosa Environmental team led by consultant Evan Gavendron, said the plan avoids costly dredging while slowing the pond's eutrophication.

The commission also opened and immediately continued a new hearing on a Notice of Intent for seasonal mobility mats at seven Plum Island beach access points — at 35th, 17th, 7th, 5th, and 3rd Streets, Plum Island Center, and Temple Boulevard — to March 3, pending a required Natural Heritage letter. Member Mick Brown pushed for minimizing dune vegetation removal; public commenter Sue Costigan asked that 37th Street be added to the filing. The board also unanimously issued an order of conditions for a seasonal float expansion at 291 High Road owned by Joel Bollette, with floats to be installed no earlier than April 1 and removed by November 15.

Ferrick closed the meeting by announcing Newbury had secured a $200,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program grant targeting sea-level-rise vulnerabilities on Plum Island and Pine Island Road.

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Source: the Conservation meeting of February 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.