Commission Approves Two Homes on Downfall Road

Conservation · Meeting of October 6, 2026

NEWBURY — The Newbury Conservation Commission approved an order of conditions for two new homes on Downfall Road and delayed sign-off on the Larkin Dam removal project. Engineer Jill Griffiths of Gomez and Sullivan Engineers told the board the dam, an Interstate 95 bridge scour repair and a USGS gauge weir were substantially completed by November 2025, but the commission continued its certificate-of-compliance decision to November 17 after finding the filing lacked as-built plans. "We're completely fine with this being a partial certificate of compliance," Griffiths said.

The board also approved compliance on a shared driveway at 29/31 Downfall Road despite a decade-old missing as-built, after the applicant's representative, Larry, cited an urgent closing "to close on Friday." Member Bob Connors called the dam project "very successful," noting it "went off on time and finished on schedule." The panel also heard an Open Space and Recreation Plan update from Assistant Planner Sadie Woodward and Open Space Committee Chair Bill Hoffman.

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Source: the Conservation meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.