Home /Committees

Boards · Commissions · Committees

Committees

The deliberative bodies that make Amesbury's policy, regulatory, and land-use decisions — each with its meeting cadence, roster, and staff liaison.

MONTHLY · 4TH THURSDAY

Amesbury Elementary School Building Committee

The Amesbury Elementary School (AES) Building Committee was formed to oversee and move forward the planning and building process for the new Amesbury Elementary School, slated to open in 2023. It was created in accordance with the Massachusetts School Building Authority's (MSBA) 963 CMR 2: School Building Grant Program regulations.

15 MEMBERS

2ND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH · WEDNESDAY

Amesbury Housing Trust

In January 2005, the state legislature passed legislation allowing the creation of municipal housing trusts, which are a vehicle for cities and towns to better plan for, fund and develop affordable housing to benefit low and moderate income households. This mechanism addresses the statewide issue of housing production, but more importantly, gives cities and towns greater control and flexibility in creating housing that is right for each community. The Amesbury Housing Trust was created by City Council Order 2012-046, however, was never convened. In November 2020, we began recruiting volunteers interested in being appointed to the Trust. The Trust has now been meeting regularly since April 2021. The Trust focuses solely on affordable housing development and preservation. It is not a policy maker, but will implement the recommendations of the Mayor and the City Council. Ideas will continue to be generated by the Amesbury Housing Authority, the Planning Board and other housing advocacy groups.

5 MEMBERS

2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH · TUESDAY

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors is responsible for administering Massachusetts property tax laws effectively and equitably, and for producing accurate and fair appraisals of all taxable property in Amesbury.

3 MEMBERS

2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH · TUESDAY

Board of Health

The Board of Health has authority to adopt rules and regulations to supplement existing laws, and rules and regulations to provide further public health protection than afforded by existing laws that generally provide protection for minimum standards. It is the responsibility of the Board of Health to investigate areas of public health concern and make such rules and regulations as it deems necessary.

5 MEMBERS

MEETS AS NEEDED

Board of Registrars

The Board of Registrars is responsible for registering voters, conducting federal, state and local elections and compiling the annual street list.

3 MEMBERS

TBD

Boards, Commissions and Committees Review Committee

The Boards, Commissions and Committees Review Committee will review the purpose and need for each appointed board, commission and committee of the city and to issue a report to the mayor and the city council containing any recommendations for changes deemed advisable by said special committee of the city and shall report any findings and recommendations.

3 MEMBERS

THIS COMMITTEE MEETS AS NEEDED.

Cable Advisory Committee

The Cable Advisory Committee acts as a liaison between the city and the cable provider. The Committee assists and advises the Mayor on negotiation and management of the cable contract.

MEETS AS NEEDED

Cemetery Advisory Commission

The Cemetery Advisory Commission advises the Director of the Public Works in the maintenance and administration of the city's cemeteries, advocates for the preservation and improvement of city cemeteries, and identifies grants and other funds for the benefit of the cemeteries upkeep.

3 MEMBERS

2ND & 4TH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7PM · TUESDAY

City Council

The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Amesbury. Councilors are elected every two years by the residents of Amesbury. The council is made up of three at-large councilors that represent the entire city, and six district councilors that represent each of the six districts of the city.

9 MEMBERS

FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH · WEDNESDAY

Community Preservation Committee

The Amesbury Community Preservation Committee (CPC) consists of nine members and is charged with studying the City's needs, possibilities, and resources with respect to community preservation and making recommendations to the City Council with respect to the allocation and expenditure of CPA funds.

10 MEMBERS · STAFF · HOWARD SNYDER

1ST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH · MONDAY

Conservation Commission

The Amesbury Conservation Commission is responsible for the protection, promotion and development of the City's natural resources and implementation of environmental protection regulations in the city.

7 MEMBERS · STAFF · AMANDA ARMINGTON

2ND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH · THURSDAY

Council on Aging Board

The Council on Aging Board serves as advocates for Amesbury's older adults, ensure their health, economic, cultural and social needs, and encourage maximum independence to improve their quality of life.

9 MEMBERS · STAFF · COURTNEY HUTCHINSON

1ST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH · TUESDAY

Cultural Council

The Amesbury Cultural Council is a group of City-appointed volunteers who help fund, promote, facilitate, and improve access to cultural activities and the arts in Amesbury and surrounding communities. We are the City's Local Cultural Council (LCC) as defined by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

10 MEMBERS · STAFF · AIMIE WESTPHAL

1ST AND 3RD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH · TUESDAY

Design Review Committee

The Design Review Committee (DRC) reviews applications for development projects subject to Sections VII (Signs) and XI.C (Site Plan Review) of Amesbury's Zoning Bylaw and makes recommendations to the Planning Board. The Design Review Committee, created by Council Bill 1997-28 (PDF), consists of three full members and two associates. Of the three full members, two are required to be registered architects, landscape architects, or persons with equivalent professional training, and one member must be from the local business community. Applications submitted under Section VII and Section XI.C are automatically scheduled to meet with the Design Review Committee.

3 MEMBERS · STAFF · NIPUN JAIN

2ND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH; 4TH THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH · 2ND WEDNESDAY; 4TH THURSDAY

Disposition Committee

The Amesbury Disposition Committee (ADC) was established in 2014 to assist the City with developing and executing a process to surplus municipal sites. The ADC members are appointed by the Mayor and coordinate with the appropriate Departments and City Boards and Committees, as well as abutters, to achieve a reuse recommendation and release a request for proposals (RFP) to the public.

5 MEMBERS

ON THE 3RD TUESDAY AT 2PM OR AS NEEDED · 3RD TUESDAY

Economic Incentives Committee

The Economic Incentives Committee shall review project proposal applications with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and similar methods of public financing, and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council for action. The Committee shall create, and as required, amend ordinances, policies and administrative forms to establish operational parameters and rules of order within the context of these guidelines.

5 MEMBERS

1ST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH · TUESDAY

Energy, Environment, and Sustainability Committee

The Amesbury Energy, Environment, and Sustainability Committee serves the citizens, businesses, and city government through research, education, and recommendations regarding issues of energy, environment and sustainability related to our city.

9 MEMBERS · STAFF · DAVID JOHNSON

AS NEEDED

Fence Viewers

The Fence Viewers help review and assist with settling disputes regarding fences.

1 MEMBER

1ST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH · THURSDAY

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission's purpose is to preserve and protect significant buildings or structures in the City which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the architectural, cultural, political, economic or social history of Amesbury. The Commission's primary responsibility is to review applications for demolition of buildings in the City to determine their significance.

8 MEMBERS · STAFF · MEGHAN FAHEY

3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH · THURSDAY

Lakes & Waterways

The Lakes and Waterways Commission assists with the development and maintenance of a comprehensive plan for the management of the City's lakes, rivers, ponds and waterways.

6 MEMBERS

2ND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH · 2ND WEDNESDAY

Library Board of Trustees

The Amesbury Public Library Board of Trustees is a governing board made up of nine members. The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the Library’s historic building and finances while maintaining a commitment to the Library’s mission to provide safe space for lifelong exploration and learning, public understanding, freedom of expression, experiencing beauty, and wonder through the best possible resources, facilities, and services for the Amesbury community. The Board determines rules and regulations governing Library operations and services and members sit on subcommittees including Preservation, Finance, Long Range Planning, Director Review, Communications, and ad hoc committees as needed.

9 MEMBERS · STAFF · AIMIE WESTPHAL

AS NEEDED

Liquor License Commission

The Liquor License Commission oversees the issuance of liquor licenses and the compliance with regulations impacting the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City.

3 MEMBERS · STAFF · AUBRIE CAMPBELL

THIS COMMITTEE MEETS AS NEEDED.

Master Plan Implementation Committee

The Master Plan Oversight and Implementation Committee monitors progress on achievement of goals and deliverables identified in the city's master plan.

1ST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH; STRATEGIC PLANNING: 2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH · TUESDAY

Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance

The purpose of the Public Health Excellence for Shared Services Grant Program is to promote and support the development of inter-municipal shared service agreements (cross-jurisdictional sharing) that contribute to improvements in local public health capacity. By pooling resources, functions, and expertise, a consortium of cities and towns, especially those that are smaller or less prosperous, can improve compliance with their statutory and regulatory mandates and expand the public health protections and services they offer residents.

4TH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH · WEDNESDAY

Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee

The City of Amesbury is fortunate to balance its urban downtown setting with a wealth of open space, trails and natural resources. As the City embarks on a strategy for economic development and managed growth, we believe that the balance with open space and natural resources can be sustained and enhanced. As volunteers and Amesbury residents, we are committed to preserving opportunities for Amesbury residents to find and take the 'path strange and new' in their own back yard. We aim to make our City a leader in local open space preservation and land use management. Our efforts will interweave Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails into the fabric, enjoyment, and dialogue of the community. Established in May, 2016 the Amesbury Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee (herein "Open Space Committee" or "OSNRTC") acts as an advisory committee to the Mayor, City Council, Municipal Boards and the public. The committee includes representatives from the City Council, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Amesbury Residents.

6 MEMBERS

TBD

Parks & Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission maintains the inventory of parks and open space in the city, makes recommendations for long- and short-term maintenance and improvement plans, and approves the use of the city's parks and recreational facility for events.

5 MEMBERS

2ND AND 4TH MONDAY OF EACH MONTH · MONDAY

Planning Board

The mission of the Amesbury Planning Board is "to shape development in order to preserve and enhance Amesbury through an equitable, efficient, and collaborative process." The Planning Board's primary jurisdiction is defined in M.G.L. Ch. 40A and 41. Generally Chapter 40A relates to zoning and Chapter 41 relates to the subdivision of land. The Planning Board has outlined their application and meeting procedures in their Rules and Regulations.

7 MEMBERS · STAFF · NIPUN JAIN

MONTHLY

River Valley Charter School Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of River Valley Charter School, including its standing committees (Finance, Development, Committee on Trustees, Executive, Accountability, and others). Meetings are published via Board on Track.

TWICE A MONTH · 1ST AND 3RD MONDAY

School Committee

By City Charter, the Amesbury School Committee consists of 6 members, elected by ballot from the registered voters of the City. The seventh member is the elected Mayor. The School Committee members serve terms of four years. The School Committee meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (schedule can change based on holidays) at 7pm in the library of Amesbury High School.

8 MEMBERS

1ST AND 3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH · THURSDAY

Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee (TRC) reviews and discusses development projects proposals in the City of Amesbury. The committee, comprised of experts from across City departments, will review development proposals and offer their expertise and recommendations. Applicants will be able to utilize that information to create a well-rounded and complete application to send to Planning Board, Conservation Commission, or other relevant boards. The TRC helps promote cross-department collaboration and discussion to ensure that new developments will benefit the City as a whole and fit within the needs of our community.

7 MEMBERS

AS NEEDED

Trustees of War Memorials

The Trustees of War Memorials oversees the planning and maintenance of the City's war memorials and monuments.

5 MEMBERS

4TH THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH · THURSDAY

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Amesbury Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board. The Board hears and decides on: Requests for Variances; Appeals of the decisions of the Zoning Enforcement Officer; Requests to alter, modify or extend non-conforming uses and structures; Requests for Special Permits and findings as set forth in the Amesbury Zoning Bylaws.

6 MEMBERS · STAFF · BECKY FREY