Select Board approves Zoning Board expansion to five members
Select Board · Meeting of January 13, 2026
Newbury Select Board unanimously increases the Zoning Board of Appeals from three to five voting members to fix Open Meeting Law constraints. Current three-member structure requires any two members to constitute a quorum, preventing pre-meeting discussions; Zoning Board Chair Eric Svahn explained this complicates approvals when legal guidance is needed. The change must be approved at Town Meeting.
The Board also accepted donations totaling $7,399.99 for the Council on Aging and Police Department, including $3,149.99 from Michael and Ellen Manning designated for a Quonset Hut. All 14 business license renewals for 2026 were approved unanimously.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 450 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of January 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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