Newbury Select Board raises building permit fees for first time in a decade

NEWBURY -- May 8, 2026, Newbury Select Board approves first building permit fee increase in roughly 10 years, projects $20,000 in new annual revenue. The board voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a revised fee schedule submitted by the building inspector, who used the town's PermitLink software to benchmark rates against comparable communities. Town Administrator Tracy Blais said the goal was a competitive middle range, neither the highest nor the lowest among peers. Board members framed the move as part of a broader effort to reduce property tax reliance alongside recent additions of a local meals tax and short-term rental fees. The board also appointed Michael Valpone to a three-year Finance Committee term beginning July 1, approved six short-term rental permits bringing the 2026 total to 34 at $250 each, and voted unanimously to delegate its response to an open meeting law complaint filed by Jack Rybicki on April 22 to Town Counsel.