Newbury Conservation Commission Authorizes Stormwater Review for 44-Unit MBTA Housing Development

NEWBURY -- May 4, 2026, Newbury Conservation Commission authorized an independent stormwater review for a proposed 44-unit MBTA housing development at 34 Central Street and scheduled a second May meeting to manage a growing agenda. Engineer Christian Smith of Beals and Associates told the commission the project's design shows a one-third reduction in peak flow to a 12-inch culvert under Central Street during a 100-year storm, but member Mary Rimmer said the culvert appeared partially silted during a recent site walk and that the stormwater analysis had not yet incorporated the proposed access road crossing a wetland. Neighbor Nino Scuderi of 3 Central Court told the board that his septic system failed after four years in the area and pressed the commission on the project's 9,800-gallon-per-day leach field. The commission voted unanimously to retain town stormwater consultant Joe Sirwatka for an independent review and continued the hearing to May 19. In other action, the commission issued orders of conditions for a septic replacement at 75 Pearson Drive and a revised landscaping plan at 14 Southern Boulevard on Plum Island, granted four negative findings for minor construction projects, and extended a permit for a solar array at the town transfer station at 75 Boston Road through July 6, 2029.