Newbury board deems Farm View Lane paving major

Planning Board · Meeting of September 2, 2026

Newbury Planning Board rules Farm View Lane asphalt a major change, clears two subdivisions. Attorney Peter Durning, representing the Farm View Lane Homeowners' Trust, argued paving the private roadway with asphalt instead of its approved gravel surface should count as a minor fix, but Clerk Lawrence Murphy said flatly, "I don't think you could characterize this as minor." Resident Giovanna Boggero Aguilera told the board she called the town before paving and was told no permit was needed, describing gravel dust so bad "I could not open my windows literally." The board's consensus sends the trust back to file a formal petition and undergo a new public hearing. Separately, the board voted 5-0 to approve a definitive subdivision decision for 15 Central Street, including a new sidewalk, and 5-0 to approve a revised site-access plan for Byfield Heights, a 44-unit development at 34 Central Street.

Members also released $7,560 in security funds for the Cypress Hollow Subdivision, leaving $11,852 held, with Chair Woody Knight recused.

In the full story:

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Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.