Newry public hearing Monday on Byways, roads

Newry will hold a public hearing Monday on several issues that will be presented at an Aug. 20 special town meeting.

The topics include authorization for selectmen to enter into a three-year contract for winter road maintenance. They have tentatively accepted a bid of $88,000 a year from Cross Excavation of Bethel, pending town meeting approval of contract authority.

Residents will be also asked their feelings on whether a new corridor management plan for the Route 26 Scenic Byway in Newry should be established. A committee is currently working on updating a plan from 2000, but concerns from landowners have prompted the request for input from the public.

Another issue is whether to require future candidates for selectmen and the SAD 44 School Board to take out nomination papers ahead of the annual town meeting. Currently, candidates are nominated from the floor.

Other topics include proposed changes to the Unified Development Review Ordinance, and a possible new ordinance to exempt active military members from paying excise taxes.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. at the Bear River Grange Hall.