Newry board reviews draft natural resources chapter of comprehensive plan

The Newry comprehensive plan committee reviewed a draft natural resources and water resources chapter at its October 6 meeting, covering conserved lands, steep slopes, mineral resources, flooding, and emergency preparedness. The committee approved the August 10 minutes unanimously and directed the plan consultant to add a scenic viewsheds list and an appendix of linked maps and reports.

Key points

• The committee unanimously approved the meeting minutes from August 10.
• The consultant corrected the draft to note that Grafton Notch State Park is not in Newry and that the Grafton Forest Wilderness Preserve is not a recognized designation.
• Members discussed adding local scenic viewsheds, including Step Falls, the Bear River Road entrance vista, and views from Jordan toward the Sunday River Valley.
• The draft cites survey results showing 72 percent of respondents concerned about protecting natural resources, 83.6 percent supporting more restrictive rural districts, and 79.1 percent supporting conservation easements or land acquisition.
• Members noted the town received a $75,000 community action grant for a groundwater sustainability assessment, with AVCOG involved in issuing an RFP.
• A member suggested adding a long-term strategy to investigate a land bank program; the consultant added it as strategy item 11.

Next steps

• The consultant will add the scenic viewsheds to the map and confirm their locations with committee members.
• The consultant will create an appendix containing the linked maps and reports so the material remains available if hyperlinks break.
• Committee members will verify the list of mountain areas and check UDRO section references against the 2026 ordinance.
• Members will confirm the locations of Leonard Ledge and Pickett Ledges, or remove them from the scenic resources list.
• The committee will schedule its next meeting, with discussion of remaining chapters including transportation, public facilities, fiscal capacity, and future land use.

Read the full transcript