Public input sought for Newbury Common changes

Subject: [Newbury] Newbury Community Listening Session - AUG 15th, 12noon-2pm

ATTENTION NEWBURY RESIDENTS PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT for NEWBURY COMMON The Town of Newbury will be convening a Community Listening Session to request public input on some changes planned for the Newbury Common in the Village of Newbury. WHEN: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 12noon-2pm WHERE: Newbury Village Fire Station Meeting Room, 60 Chapel Street, Newbury Over the past year, we have been discussing the trees on the Common with our Tree Warden, with Newbury’s County Forester and with representatives from the Urban & Community Forestry Program with Vermont Department of Forests Parks & Recreation. The Urban & Community Forestry (UCF) program has also assisted the Town of Newbury in conducting an inventory and conditions assessment for the trees on the Common. Upon their collective recommendation, the Town will be removing the green ash trees, as it is only a matter of time before they are infected by the emerald ash-borer. Obviously, this will have a huge impact on the appearance and character of Newbury Common. However, the Town has also received a grant to fund the replacement of the ash trees through the generous support of UCF. We have an opportunity now to shape how the Newbury Common will look in the future as a result of these changes. We invite all interested residents to participate in the listening session to hear about the tree inventory and assessment, and to provide input to the Town on what the community’s vision will be for the Common. For example, should we replace the ash trees with trees that will look similar? Should the Common be more open? What kind of trees are preferred? How will maintenance costs factor in? We welcome your input! If you have any questions, please contact the Selectboard at (802) 866-5521 ext 5. -- Susan Culp home: [phone redacted] cell: [phone redacted]