City Council · February 11, 2025 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council confirmed two mayoral appointments including the new Human Resources Director (2025-010) and approved a $50,000 legislative earmark referral for downtown lighting improvements (2025-015). The Council also referred a proposed $500,000 appropriation from Free Cash for Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Ball Field Improvements (2025-021) and an Outdoor Dining Ordinance (2025-017) to relevant committees for further review.
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Key decisions
Approved appointment of Christopher Lane to Historic Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2027 (2025-009).
Approved appointment of Christine Caminero as Human Resources Director (2025-010).
Approved February 11 monthly license list.
Referred 2025-011 (declare various municipal vehicles and equipment surplus) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-012 (authorize Mayor to enter into lease purchase agreements for a new copier) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-013 (transfer $4,550 from Conservation Commission Personal Services to Other Expenses) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-014 (accept and expend $18,989 DFS Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-015 (accept and expend $50,000 FY25 Legislative Earmark for downtown lighting improvements) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-016 (enter intermunicipal agreement for Public Health Excellence shared services grant) to Budget & Finance and Ordinance & Administration and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-017 (create Chapter 397, "Outdoor Dining Ordinance") to Budget & Finance and Ordinance & Administration and set 2nd reading for March 11.
Referred 2025-018 (amend Chapter 20 revolving funds per M.G.L. c.44, §53E1/2) to Budget & Finance and Ordinance & Administration and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-019 (appropriate $332,200 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-020 (appropriate $120,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses) to Budget & Finance and set 2nd reading for February 25.
Referred 2025-021 (appropriate $500,000 from Free Cash for Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Ball Field Improvements) to Budget & Finance, Planning & Development, and the School Committee and set 2nd reading for March 11.
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2025-009. Christopher Lane — Historic Commission
Appointment of Christopher Lane to the Historic Commission for a term expiring February 28, 2027.
Mayoral Appointments
2025-010. Christine Caminero — Human Resources Director
Appointment of Christine Caminero to the position of Human Resources Director.
First Readings
2025-011. Surplus Municipal Vehicles and Equipment
Order to declare various municipal vehicles and equipment (Fire Department and DPW) as surplus.
First Readings
2025-012. Lease-Purchase Agreement for Copier
Authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease-purchase agreement (up to five years) for a replacement copier at 68 Elm St.; proposed 48-month contract at $207.20/month.
First Readings
2025-013. Conservation Commission Budget Transfer ($4,550)
Transfer $4,550 from Conservation Commission Personal Services to Other Expenses to cover consultant services during onboarding of a new Sustainability & Conservation Planner.
First Readings
2025-014. Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant ($18,989)
Authorize acceptance and expenditure of an $18,989 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and DFS FY2025 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program to purchase structural firefighting gear (boots, coats, pants & suspenders).
First Readings
2025-015. FY25 Legislative Earmark Grant — Downtown Lighting ($50,000)
Authorize acceptance and expenditure of a $50,000 FY25 legislative earmark for downtown lighting improvements; funds to be used for the Upper Millyard Falls Lighting Project managed by a local vendor.
First Readings
2025-016. Intermunicipal Agreement — Public Health Excellence (PHE) Grant
Authorize the Mayor to enter into an intermunicipal agreement for participation in the Public Health Excellence shared services grant (PHE) with neighboring towns; Amesbury is the lead municipality.
First Readings
2025-017. Outdoor Dining Ordinance (Chapter 397)
Ordinance to add Chapter 397 establishing an Outdoor Dining Ordinance to permit and fee private use of City-owned streets, sidewalks, and parks for outdoor dining and deposit fees into the general fund for program maintenance and improvements.
First Readings
2025-018. Amend Revolving Funds — Chapter 20 (Budget & Finance)
Ordinance amending Chapter 20 (Budget and Finance), Article V Revolving Funds, §20-24 to update departmental revolving funds, purposes, receipts, and authority consistent with M.G.L. c.44, §53E1/2; adds community use fees to the youth activities revolving fund.
First Readings
2025-019. Sewer Vehicle Purchases Appropriation ($332,200)
Appropriate $332,200 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses to purchase four new vehicles for the Sewer Department, including vehicle branding design.
First Readings
2025-020. Sewer Grinder Pump Repairs Appropriation ($120,000)
Appropriate $120,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses to cover costly unbudgeted grinder pump repairs related to the Lake Attitash sewer project.
First Readings
2025-021. Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Field Improvements Appropriation ($500,000)
Appropriate $500,000 from Free Cash to fund site construction services for Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Ball Field improvements, including backstop, fencing, infield reconstruction, irrigation, scoreboard relocation, and drainage; construction planned June–September 2025.