City Council · November 12, 2024 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council appointed Amanda Haggstrom to fill the District 3 council seat (2024-121), accepted resignations creating vacancies on the Library Board (2024-134) and Planning Board (2024-135), referred the annual tax classification order (2024-138) and related exemption order (2024-139) to Budget & Finance, and referred a late-filed order to acquire 5 Market St. for City Hall with a $3,150,000 appropriation (2024-149) to multiple committees and set a public hearing.
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Key decisions
Appointed Helen “Ellie” O'Leary to Amesbury Cultural Council for term to expire 2/28/2027 (2024-136).
Reappointed Nancy Frick to Amesbury Housing Trust for term to expire 4/30/2026 (2024-137).
Nominated and appointed Amanda Haggstrom to fill the remaining District 3 City Council term (2024-121).
Accepted Delia Rinaldi's resignation and declared vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees (2024-134).
Accepted Lorri Krebs' resignation and declared vacancy on the Planning Board (2024-135).
Referred 2024-138 (order to hold annual tax classification hearing) to Budget & Finance and set a second reading and public hearing for 11/26 (and a workshop TBD).
Referred 2024-139 (order to increase exemption amount for qualified applicants) to Budget & Finance and set a second reading for 11/26.
Referred 2024-140 (amend Traffic & Parking SCHEDULE 1 to prohibit parking on northbound Whitehall Rd from Garfield St to High St) to Ordinance & Administration and Planning & Development and set a second reading for 11/26.
Referred 2024-141 (change 2-hour parking to 3-hour limit) to Ordinance & Administration and Planning & Development and set a second reading for 11/26.
Referred 2024-142 (prohibit parking on a curb in Traffic & Parking regulations) to Ordinance & Administration and Planning & Development and set a second reading for 11/26.
Referred 2024-143 (prohibit parking in Fire Lanes in Traffic & Parking regulations) to Ordinance & Administration and Planning & Development and set a second reading for 11/26.
Referred 2024-144 (vote intent to lay out Colonial Drive) to Ordinance & Administration, Planning & Development, and the Planning Board and set a second reading and public hearing for 1/14/2025.
Referred 2024-145 (approve acceptance of Quitclaim Deed for Lot X, Eastern Lights Subdivision off Middle Road) to Ordinance & Administration, Planning & Development, and the Planning Board and set a second reading for 1/14/2025.
Referred 2024-146 (lay out and accept Colonial Drive as a public way) to Ordinance & Administration, Planning & Development, and the Planning Board and set a second reading and public hearing for 1/14/2025.
Referred 2024-147 (transfer $1,800 within Veterans Services budget) to Budget & Finance and set a second reading for 11/26.
Referred 2024-148 (amend Traffic & Parking general prohibitions to prohibit parking on a curb) to Ordinance & Administration and Planning & Development and set a second reading for 11/26.
Suspended the rules and accepted 2024-149 as a late file (order to acquire 5 Market St. for City Hall and appropriate $3,150,000).
Referred 2024-149 (authorize acquisition of 5 Market St. for City Hall and appropriate $3,150,000) to Ordinance & Administration, Planning & Development, Budget & Finance, and the Planning Board and set a second reading and public hearing for 11/26.
Appointed Councilor Amanda Haggstrom to the Planning & Development committee to replace the former District councilor.
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2024-136. Appointment of Helen "Ellie" O'Leary
Appointment of Helen "Ellie" O'Leary to the Amesbury Cultural Council for a term expiring February 28, 2027.
Mayoral Appointments
2024-137. Reappointment of Nancy Frick
Reappointment of Nancy Frick to the Amesbury Housing Trust for a term expiring April 30, 2026.
Presentation
2024-138. Presentation from Assessor’s Office
Presentation from the Assessor’s Office (listed as item 2024-138 in Correspondence section).
Public Hearings
2024-121. Declaration of City Council Vacancy – District 3
Second reading: Declaration of City Council Vacancy for District 3.
First Readings
2024-134. Library Board of Trustees Vacancy - Delia Rinaldi Resignation
Declaration of vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees due to the resignation of Delia Rinaldi.
First Readings
2024-135. Planning Board Vacancy - Lorri Krebs Resignation
Declaration of vacancy on the Planning Board due to the resignation of Lorri Krebs.
First Readings
2024-138. Order to Hold Annual Classification Hearing
Order to request the City Council hold the annual Classification Hearing to set the residential factor and establish tax burdens by property class.
First Readings
2024-139. Order to Increase Exemption Amount for Qualified Applicants
Order to decide whether to increase the exemption amount for qualified applicants under state law (annual decision).
First Readings
2024-140. Ordinance — Prohibit Parking on Northbound Whitehall Rd (Garfield to High)
Ordinance to amend traffic and parking regulations to prohibit parking on the northbound side of Whitehall Rd from Garfield Street to High Street to improve sight lines.
First Readings
2024-141. Ordinance — Change 2-Hour to 3-Hour Parking (8 AM–6 PM)
Ordinance to amend 2-hour parking to a 3-hour time limit from 8 AM to 6 PM every day except Sundays, based on a downtown parking efficiency study.
First Readings
2024-142. Ordinance — Prohibit Parking on Curb
Ordinance to clarify and amend general prohibitions to prohibit parking on a curb or edge of roadway and better define prohibited parking.
First Readings
2024-143. Ordinance — Prohibit Parking in Fire Lanes
Ordinance to amend traffic and parking regulations to include prohibition of parking in designated fire lanes, except for authorized emergency responders.
First Readings
2024-144. Vote Intent to Lay Out Colonial Drive
Order to vote intent to lay out Colonial Drive and refer the proposed action to the Planning Board.
First Readings
2024-145. Approve Acceptance of Quitclaim Deed for Lot X (Eastern Lights)
Order to approve acceptance of a quitclaim deed for Lot X in the Eastern Lights subdivision (portion off Middle Road) and authorize the Mayor to execute the deed for general municipal purposes.
First Readings
2024-146. Lay Out and Accept Colonial Drive as Public Way
Order to lay out and accept Colonial Drive as a public way.
First Readings
2024-147. Budget Transfer — Veterans Services ($1,800)
Order to authorize a transfer of $1,800 from Veterans Services Other Expenses to Salaries & Wages to cover a stipend increase for the Office Assistant.
First Readings
2024-148. Ordinance — Prohibit Parking on Curb (Duplicate)
Duplicate listing: Ordinance to clarify and amend general prohibitions to prohibit parking on a curb or edge of roadway (same text as 2024-142).
Late Files
2024-149. Authorize Acquisition and Appropriation for 5 Market Street (City Hall)
Order authorizing the Mayor to acquire the land, building, and structures at 5 Market Street for City Hall purposes and appropriating $3,150,000 to fund the acquisition (requires two-thirds vote).