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City Services

Newburyport Departments

Where a Problem Actually Goes

Most of what a city does never reaches a vote. A water main, a restaurant inspection, a building permit, a snow route: those are department decisions, made by staff who report up through the Mayor. That is why a service problem goes to a department first and to an elected official second. Every line below is a real desk with a real phone, and the city publishes the whole contacts directory on its own site.

Police Public safety. Newburyport titles its police chief the City Marshal, and the office is held by Matt Simons. 4 Green Street. Non-emergency (978) 462-4411.
Fire Fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical response and rescue. Fire Chief Steve Bradbury. 0 Greenleaf Street. (978) 465-4427.
Public Services Roads, sidewalks, drainage, water, sewer, the city’s 26 parks, trees, cemeteries and municipal buildings. Kim Turner is Acting Director. Non-emergency issues such as potholes and streetlight outages go through the city’s See Click Fix portal. 16A Perry Way. (978) 465-4464.
Health Food safety, housing inspections, public health nursing. Director of Public Health Kelechi Obika. City Hall lower level, 60 Pleasant Street. (978) 465-4410.
City Clerk Vital records, business certificates, dog licenses, public records, and the oath of office for every newly elected or appointed official. City Clerk Kathleen Sullivan. (978) 465-4407.
Elections Voter registration, vote by mail and absentee ballots, ward polling locations and early voting, run out of the City Clerk’s office. (978) 465-4407.
Treasurer / Collector Property tax, motor vehicle excise, water bills, and the online payment center. Treasurer and Collector Julie Languirand. (978) 465-4415.
Assessor Property values, abatements and exemptions. Assessor Jill Brennan. (978) 465-4403.
Finance The city’s books, payroll and financial reporting. Finance Director and City Auditor Amy Sarro. 978-465-4404.
Planning & Development Zoning, subdivisions, historic preservation, affordable housing and long range planning, and staff support for the Conservation Commission. Director Andrew Port. (978) 465-4400.
Council on Aging The Senior Community Center, meals, transportation, outreach and programs. Director Sara Landry. 331 High Street. (978) 462-0430.
Recreation and Youth Services Recreation programs for every age, the Youth Center for grades 6 to 12, and family support services. Director of Youth and Recreational Services Andrea Egmont. City Hall, second floor. (978) 465-4434.
Library Books, programs, computers and community space at the Newburyport Public Library, 94 State Street. Head Librarian Kevin Bourque. (978) 465-4428.
Recycling, Energy & Sustainability Curbside recycling and compost, hard to dispose items, household hazardous waste, and the city’s energy work. Recycling and Energy Manager Molly Ettenborough. (978) 499-0413.
Harbormaster Safety and management on the Merrimack River and the harbor, the Cashman Park boat launch, the central waterfront docks and Plum Island Point. Harbormaster Paul Hogg. 27 Rear Water Street. (978) 462-3746.
Veteran’s Services Benefits, medical care and burial assistance under Chapter 115, for the district shared with Amesbury, Merrimac and Salisbury. Director Kevin Hunt. 331 High Street. (978) 462-2201.
Emergency Management Preparedness and coordination in a declared emergency. 59 Low Street. (978) 465-4424.

Emergency and Non-Emergency Numbers

  • Any emergency: call 911.
  • Police, non-emergency: (978) 462-4411.
  • Fire, non-emergency: (978) 465-4427.
  • Emergency Management: (978) 465-4424, 59 Low Street.
  • Harbormaster: (978) 462-3746. U.S. Coast Guard, Merrimack Station: (978) 465-0731.
  • City Hall: 60 Pleasant Street, (978) 465-4413.
  • Hospital: Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland Avenue, Newburyport. 978-463-1000.

The volunteer boards decide a different set of questions.

Boards & Commissions