Board Appoints Russell to Historical Commission

Select Board · Meeting of October 27, 2026

Newbury's Select Board approved Ted Russell as a Historical Commission alternate over Clerk Leslie Matthews' lone abstention. Chairperson William DiMaio pressed Matthews twice to reconsider; she declined both times, prompting DiMaio to say "I'm very disappointed." Only three of five board members, DiMaio, Vice Chair Alicia Greco and Matthews, were recorded voting that night. DiMaio also delivered a detailed defense of the town's rodenticide-waiver history, citing 17 prior meetings and an $885 payment to Essex County Pest Control, after a resident pressed the board on accountability.

The board separately accepted $4,480 in grants and donations, approved two one-day permits for a resident's 70th-birthday party, and tabled its own annual-goals review "until we have a full board."

In the full story:

• Public Comment: Veterans Events and Wreaths Across America
• Public Comment: A Resident-Only Parking Proposal for Plum Island
• Remarks from the Chair: A Timeline Defense of the Town's Rodenticide Response
• New Business: Historical Commission Alternate Appointment
• New Business: Entertainment and Liquor Licenses for a Birthday Party
• Grants, Gifts and Donations
• Old Business: Select Board Goals Follow-Up Tabled
• Minutes, Warrants and Executive Session
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,265 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.