Home / Meetings /January 30, 2024

City Council · January 30, 2024 · 7:00 PM

City Council Meeting

Council approved multiple mayoral appointments including Michael P. Kelleher as Human Resources Director and Michelle Foucher to the Open Space, Natural Resources & Trails Commission (charter waiver approved). The council referred Ordinance 2024-014 (create an opioid settlement reserve fund and appropriate $114,123.63 from free cash) and Bill 2024-015 (DPW snow & ice overspend request) to Budget & Finance, and sent a package of Council rules changes (2024-016 through 2024-022) to Ordinance & Administration with a second reading set for March 26, 2024.

occurred Agenda PDF Video recording AI Summary

Key decisions

Approved appointment of election workers for terms to expire after the November 5, 2024 general election (46 appointees).

Approved 8-0

Waived Section 9-5C of the city charter to allow a city employee (Michelle Foucher) to serve on an appointed board.

Approved unanimous

Approved appointment of Michelle Foucher to the Open Space, Natural Resources & Trails Commission (term to expire February 28, 2027).

Approved unanimous

Approved appointment of Michael P. Kelleher as Human Resources Director for the City of Amesbury.

Approved unanimous

Approved reappointment of Stephen Stanginelli to the Housing Trust Committee (term to expire December 31, 2025).

Approved unanimous

Approved appointment of Anthony Rinaldi to the Energy Committee (term to expire December 31, 2025).

Approved unanimous

Approved appointment of Claudel Frederic to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Board (term to expire December 31, 2025).

Approved unanimous

Approved the January 2024 list of new and renewed business licenses as presented (two new applicants, 12 renewals).

Approved unanimous

Approved Addendum L (City Council committee appointments) with corrections (update session number and replace/renumber one footnote).

Approved unanimous

Referred Ordinance 2024-014 (create an opioid settlement special reserve fund and appropriate $114,123.63 from free cash) to the Budget & Finance Committee; second reading scheduled for Feb 27, 2024.

Referred 8-0

Referred Ordinance/Bill 2024-015 (authorize DPW to overspend FY2024 snow & ice appropriation of $250,000) to the Budget & Finance Committee; second reading scheduled for Feb 27, 2024.

Referred unanimous

Referred proposed rule changes (2024-016) to Ordinance & Administration (ONA) for review; second reading scheduled for March 26, 2024.

Referred unanimous

Referred a set of Council rules change ordinances (2024-017 through 2024-022) to ONA for review; second reading scheduled for March 26, 2024.

Referred unanimous

Accepted resignation of Bethany Sullivan from the Amesbury Public Library Board of Trustees and declared the seat vacant.

Approved unanimous

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AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE TRANSCRIPT

The City Council meeting covered appointments, licensing, committee assignments, ordinance referrals, and a public comment on field safety. The council confirmed a slate of election workers and approved several mayoral appointments, including waiving a charter restriction to permit Michelle Foucher to serve on the Open Space, Natural Resources & Trails Commission, and appointing Michael P. Kelleher as the new Human Resources Director. The council also approved routine business including the January 2024 license list and Addendum L (committee appointments) with minor corrections.

On policy and budget items the council referred Ordinance 2024-014 to Budget & Finance to create an opioid settlement special reserve fund and appropriate $114,123.63 from free cash (a second reading was scheduled for Feb. 27). Bill 2024-015, a request that DPW be authorized to overspend the FY2024 snow & ice appropriation, was likewise referred to Budget & Finance with a Feb. 27 second reading. A set of proposed changes to city council rules (2024-016 through 2024-022) were referred to Ordinance & Administration for review; the council debated committee-of-the-whole procedures and open meeting law concerns before scheduling a collective second reading for March 26. During public comment a representative of the Amesbury Girls Youth Softball League requested clearer communication and budget transparency about Town Park softball field safety and the $200K Diamond Field project, including why a prior $75K infield repair line was reallocated.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

Waiver of charter restriction allowing a city employee to serve on a board

OTHER

0:08:36–0:11:04 ▶ Watch

Council discussed and voted to waive the city charter restriction that had previously barred city employees from serving on appointed boards, explaining this is the first waiver under a recent charter amendment and then approving the related appointment.

Introduction and confirmation of the Human Resources Director

PRESENTATION

0:12:02–0:13:58 ▶ Watch

The City Council introduced and approved the new Human Resources Director; the appointee summarized professional background and prior HR experience before the council's unanimous confirmation.

Announcement of $840,000 state grant for waterfront and boat launch improvements

ANNOUNCEMENT

0:34:50–0:35:12 ▶ Watch

President-level remarks announcing that the administration secured an $840,000 state grant for improvements to the public boat launch and waterfront along the Merrimack, with a pointer to more details on the city website.

Council discussion of Whittier Tech outcome and budgetary implications

DEBATE

0:42:05–0:49:36 ▶ Watch

Extended council discussion of the Whittier/Whittier Tech school matter and local fiscal implications, including recap of recent meetings, possible next steps, calls for greater transparency, and concerns about upcoming budget pressures.

Youth softball league public comment requesting timelines and budget transparency for field repairs

PUBLIC COMMENT

0:51:01–0:53:43 ▶ Watch

A resident and youth softball league representative delivered a multi-point public comment requesting clear communication and timeline/budget details for planned Town Park/softball field improvements ahead of the spring season.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:04:35 · APPROVE

Motion passes to approve with corrections

i move that we approve the december 26 2023 minutes with the two corrections

UNDER · Approve minutes (Dec 26, 2023)

@ 0:05:52 · APPROVE

Unanimous

Move that we approve January 2, 2024 amendments as presented.

MOVED · COUNCILOR STANGINAMI · SECONDED · COUNCILOR HOGUE

UNDER · Approve minutes (Jan 2, 2024)

@ 0:06:50 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

All right motion by councilor staying no it's second by counselor gilday

SECONDED · COUNSELOR GILDAY

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-008. Appointment of Election Workers

@ 0:09:53 · REFER

It's unanimous.

I'd like to make a motion if we could to waive the charter section 9-5C

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-009. Michelle Faucher — Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee

@ 0:11:04 · APPROVE

Unanimous

I move that the City Council approve the appointment of Michelle Fowcherry as President of the 24-009.

MOVED · COUNCILOR STANGENELLER · SECONDED · COUNCILOR GAUDET

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-009. Michelle Faucher — Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee

@ 0:13:32 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

thank you sir I move that we approve 2024-010 the appointment of Michael P. Keller Esquire to the position of human resources director for the city of Ames where he has presented

SECONDED · COUNCILLOR STAGGINELLI

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-010. Michael P. Keleher — Human Resources Director

@ 0:15:01 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

I move that we pass 24 to 2024 dash 0 1 1 report reappointment of counselor Stephen Stanginelli to the position a member of the Eames rehousing trust committee for a term to expire

SECONDED · COUNCILLOR REDFERN

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-011. Steven Stanganelli — Amesbury Housing Trust Committee

@ 0:17:03 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

Move that Council approve 2024 Debt 012.

MOVED · COUNCILOR STANGENOW · SECONDED · COUNCILOR HOGUE

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-012. Anthony Rinaldi — Energy Committee

@ 0:18:03 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

I moved it to 2024-013, which is presented before the appointment.

MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY

UNDER · Mayoral Appointments · 2024-013. Claudel Frederique — CDBG Advisory Board

@ 0:33:39 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

moved that city council approve the january 2024 license list as presented and read into the record

MOVED · COUNCILLOR ST. LOUIS · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE

UNDER · 6. Monthly list of licenses

@ 0:55:32 · REFER

Motion carries, 8-0

comes are staying in LA that we refer 2024-014 to the budget and finance committee's next scheduled meeting

MOVED · COMES ARE STAYING IN LA

UNDER · First Readings · 2024-014. Create Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund; Appropriate $114,123.63

@ 0:59:17 · AMEND

Amendment passed 7-1

I would move, actually, I would move that we amend to include a second reading at our second regularly scheduled meeting in february

MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILOR GILDAY

UNDER · First Readings · 2024-014. Create Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund; Appropriate $114,123.63

@ 1:06:07 · REFER

Unanimous (8-0)

i move that we refer bill 2024-015 to budget and finance and set a second reading at the february 27 city council meeting

MOVED · COUNSELOR GILDAY · SECONDED · COUNSELOR WHEELER

UNDER · First Readings · 2024-015. Authorize DPW to Overspend FY2024 Snow & Ice Appropriation

@ 1:07:42 · REFER

Unanimous (8-0)

i would like to make a motion to refer Bill 2024-016 to the ordinance and administration subcommittee.

MOVED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER

UNDER · First Readings · 2024-016. Ordinance: Revise Rule 6G (Appeal) — Council Rules

@ 1:34:05 · REFER

Unanimous (8-0)

i would like to refer 2024-017 to ona with a second reading uh to ona at their next scheduled meeting with a second reading on march 26.

MOVED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY (AMENDED) · SECONDED · COUNSELOR REDFERN (SECOND TO ORIGINAL); AMENDMENT SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR GILDAY

UNDER · First Readings · 2024-017. Ordinance: Revise Rule 11-A (Standing Committees) — Council Rules

@ 1:37:26 · APPROVE

Unanimous (8-0)

resignation declare the seat vacant 2024-023

MOVED · COUNSELOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HOGUE

UNDER · First Readings · 2024-023. Resignation — Library Board of Trustees (Bethany Sullivan)

@ 1:37:57 · OTHER

Unanimous

motion to adjourn second by Councillor Rinaldi

MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR RINALDI

UNDER · Adjournment