Newbury Historical Commission opens Chapter 65 inquiry for vacant Town Hall; chair to request proper application materials

The Newbury Historical Commission on Feb. 12, 2026 reviewed a letter from Assistant Town Administrator Joyce Stanton asking the commission to accept an application from the Newbury Select Board to pursue a Chapter 65 historical-significance inquiry for the vacant Newbury Town Hall at 25 High Road.

Commission members said the town hall lies within the National Historic District and is therefore already treated as a "significant structure" under the town's Chapter 65 demolition-delay bylaw. The group clarified that the letter itself does not substitute for a formal demolition-permit application and that the commission needs a completed application filed with the building commissioner before beginning the formal review and public‑hearing process.

The commission reviewed what must appear in a demolition-permit application: owner name and contact, address, a description of the structure (age, dimensions, materials), the reason for the demolition request, a brief description of proposed reuse or replacement, and photographs showing four exterior angles and interior views. A building commissioner must forward any application to the commission within seven days; the commission then has up to 15 days to issue a written determination on whether the structure is significant and, if so, must hold at least one public hearing within 30 days of that written notification.

Reading the Select Board's cover letter, the chair summarized the request as, according to the cover letter, "Please accept this application on behalf of the Newbury Select Board who voted Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 to pursue a historical significance inquiry into the vacant Newbury Town Hall located 25 High Road under chap 65." Members said that language asks for the commission's assessment but does not replace the formal application required to trigger hearings.

Because no demolition application had been filed, members said the commission's immediate task was procedural: confirm the record and ask the town to submit the required application materials and specify what demolition work, if any, is proposed. The chair moved "that the chair communicate with the assistant town administrator" about the procedural requirements; the motion was seconded by a member identified in the transcript as Lawn and was approved by voice vote.

Commissioners also discussed site-condition concerns raised during the meeting—current limited use of the building for storage, the condition of interior systems, and reports of mold and pests—and emphasized that the commission's review must focus on the building's historic and architectural features. Members suggested a site walk to inspect sills, roof rafters and other elements if and when the formal application is filed.

Next steps: the chair will contact Assistant Town Administrator Joyce Stanton to request a formal demolition-permit application with the required documentation; if an application is filed, the building commissioner will forward it to the commission and the commission will schedule hearings in accordance with Chapter 65 timeframes.