Re-Elect

Chris Wile

for West Newbury Select Board on May 4, 2026

Three decades of dedicated service to our town. A proven record of fiscal responsibility, land preservation, and community leadership.

30+ Years of Service
100's of acres of land preserved to West Newbury
32 Years of Town Residency
Welcome to West Newbury sign
The sign was made and donated to the town by Chris Wile
Know Your Candidate

Roots Run Deep in West Newbury

I moved to West Newbury 32 years ago. After having spent the previous 10 years bringing a derelict Greek Revival house in Amesbury back to life, my wife and I decided we would like to move to a place with a more rural aspect, a great school system, and have the opportunity for more land and a new house. We found 7 acres on Main Street and built our forever home.

At that time, I owned my own woodworking shop, but a few years later, I joined up with The Woodworks in Derry, NH and became the lead estimator for the largest cabinet shop in New England. I worked there until my retirement, estimating jobs and securing multi-million dollar contracts.

On moving to the town, I felt a personal obligation to become involved and contribute to the town we now called home. I talked to the then Town Clerk, Marge Peterson, about getting involved and she suggested I get to know the workings of the town — and thus began my 30+ years of dedicated service to West Newbury.

The Wile family constructing their new home in West Newbury
Constructing our new home in West Newbury
A Record of Results

Decades of Proven Leadership

From the Planning Board to the School Committee to the Select Board, I've served wherever West Newbury needed me — always with an eye toward fiscal responsibility and our town's future.

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Select Board & Finance

Current Select Board member (3+ years). Finance Committee member and Chair (former). Pentucket Regional Finance Committee representative (former).

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Planning & Zoning

Planning Board member (former) for 5 years, including Chair. Initiated the 1999 Comprehensive Master Plan. Chaired the Zoning By-Law and Subdivision Regulation rewrite committees.

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Schools & Education

School Committee member (former) for 5 years, including Chair. Led the Superintendent Search that hired Dr. Mulqueen. Signed the original SOI for state funding of the new Middle/High School.

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Land Preservation

Instrumental in acquiring 194 acres of conservation land — including the 115-acre Craven Property, 71 acres at Pipestave, and 8 acres overlooking the reservoir at Cherry Hill, among other properties.

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Recreation & Facilities

Field Location Committee member for Pipestave Hill Soccer Fields and Page School Softball Fields. Pentucket Track and Field Upgrade Committee.

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Regional Partnerships

Whittier School Committee member (former). Whittier Regional Agreement Amendment Committee. Pentucket Regional Agreement Revision Committee.

Commencement of Artichoke Reservoir Bridge reconstruction
Commencement of Artichoke Reservoir Bridge reconstruction
Speaking at the Memorial Day service
Speaking at the Memorial Day service
The Last Three Years

What We've Accomplished Together

These accomplishments have been undertaken and moved forward by the entire team of employees and volunteers at Town Hall. I have been fortunate enough to be an integral part of this team and hope that my efforts and input have helped with many of these projects and issues.

Infrastructure & Safety

Secured funding for the new Middle Street/Artichoke Reservoir Bridge and worked with the City of Newburyport to complete construction. The bridge is nearing completion and will open this spring, ahead of schedule.
Main Street (Rt. 113) Corridor Planning and Conceptual Designs to improve safety and traffic flow. Improvements at Page School/Pipestave Hill have been completed, with design and surveying work ongoing at other critical locations.
Secured a long-overdue agreement with Mass Highway to install crash bar deterrents at each entry to the Rocks Village Bridge, currently in the design phase.
Completed installation of new water mains on Church Street and Prospect Street, with the Select Board providing over $600,000 in ARPA funds to reduce the burden on water rate users.

Schools & Education

Page School Conditions Assessment completed and presented to the community in April 2025, followed by the Pentucket School District submitting a Statement of Interest to the state in April 2026 to pursue funding for a building project.
Serving on the Whittier Regional Agreement Amendment Committee (RAAC), working to rewrite the Whittier Vo-Tech agreement to move forward with a new building project.

Land, Recreation & Agriculture

Secured multiple land acquisitions and protections including Sawmill Brook, Evergreen Farm, and other properties.
Construction of the pickleball court at Cammett Park nearing completion, with connecting pathways to follow pending Town Meeting funding.
Passed the Right to Farm bylaw, reaffirming protections for commercial farmers in West Newbury.

Fiscal Stewardship

The Town holds a AAA bond rating, carries no long-term capital debt (excepting schools and the Water Department), maintains strong reserve funds, and has received clean financial audits. This positions us well to fund a Page School building project once we work through the state process.
Approved MBTA Community Zoning overlay district, protecting the Town from losing significant state funding and avoiding non-compliance penalties.
Continually working to provide residents the services they expect while controlling the annual budget and keeping taxes reasonable within the Proposition 2-1/2 mandate.

Planning & Operations

Developed a comprehensive Town Work Plan with the Town Manager to guide the Town, its employees, and residents on the projects and issues ahead. The plan is posted on the Town's website.
Funded the Visioning process for a Comprehensive Master Plan, moving forward this fall, with the full plan to follow once funding is secured.
Currently engaged in an Operational Assessment to direct how personnel resources in Town Hall should be allocated, including a search for a new Town Manager to strengthen operations going forward.
Beyond the Boardroom

Part of the Fabric of This Town

In addition to serving on town boards and committees, I am a hobby farmer — keeping a flock of chickens, growing Christmas trees, dahlias, fruits, and vegetables on our property. I've donated hundreds of dahlia tubers to the Garden Club Annual Sale.

Tens of thousands of dollars raised from selling fresh eggs and Christmas trees have been donated to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for research, as a member of the Dana Farber Boston Marathon running team. I've run over 80 marathons, 12 ultra-marathons — including two 100-milers.

"I coached girls' intramural softball teams for 7+ years, and have carved the wooden bears that stand at the end of our driveway — often dressed to celebrate occasions, holidays, and causes close to our hearts."
Finishing touches on Mr. Bear
Finishing touches on Mr. Bear (the third)
Mr. Bear supporting the new school
Mr. Bear supporting the new school
Family & Values

A Life Built Here

I have been married to Nancy, a retired Pentucket teacher, for 49 years. We have three children who have been influenced by our spirit of public service and have taken careers serving others.

As a parent, I supported our children's educational experiences through home schooling, charter school, and public education from Page School to Pentucket Middle and High School — because I believe in giving every child the path that works best for them.

From my many decades of dedication to the well-being of West Newbury, I have a significant amount of institutional and historical knowledge of the town. I have shown myself to be a valuable asset to the character and financial success of West Newbury.

The Wile Family
The Wile Family
The extended Wile family
The Wile family
The Wile family on Nantucket
The Wile family on Nantucket
Election Day

Keep West Newbury Moving Forward

I hope that citizens of West Newbury value my experience and leadership and will continue to support me on my mission to keep our town efficiently and effectively run, fiscally sound, and an amazing place to live and raise a family.

I respectfully request your vote for another term on the Select Board. Please vote on May 4, 2026.

Thank you — Chris Wile
Candidate for West Newbury Select Board