City Council · February 25, 2025 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council approved several mayoral orders and ordinances (2025-011 through 2025-020) including surplus vehicle declarations, a copier lease authorization, a firefighter safety grant, a $50,000 downtown lighting earmark, amendments to the revolving funds ordinance (2025-018), two sewer fund appropriations (2025-019 and 2025-020), and confirmed two mayoral appointments; the Council also passed Resolution 2025-024 urging revision of the Chapter 70 school funding formula.
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Key decisions
Appointed Michael Fallon to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2027 (2025-022).
Appointed Catherine Rymsha to the Cemetery Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2027 (2025-023).
Declared various municipal vehicles and equipment surplus (Order 2025-011).
Authorized the Mayor to enter into five-year-or-less lease purchase agreements for a new copier (Order 2025-012).
Transferred $4,550 from Conservation Commission Personal Services to Conservation Commission Other Expenses (Order 2025-013).
Authorized the Mayor to accept and expend a $18,989 FY2025 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security/DFS (Order 2025-014).
Authorized the Mayor to accept and expend a $50,000 FY25 legislative earmark for downtown lighting improvements (Order 2025-015).
Substituted the original intermunicipal agreement language with a redline dated February 21, 2025 and approved the intermunicipal agreement for Public Health Excellence shared services grant (Order 2025-016, amended).
Substituted the original revolving funds ordinance with a redline dated February 21, 2025 and approved the amendment to Chapter 20, Article V, §20-24 Establishment of Revolving Funds (Ordinance 2025-018, amended).
Appropriated $332,200 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses (Order 2025-019).
Appropriated $120,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses (Order 2025-020).
Approved a resolution requesting the state legislature revisit and revise the Chapter 70 school funding formula (Resolution 2025-024).
Agenda
Appointments
2025-022. Michael Fallon — Conservation Commission
Appointment of Michael Fallon to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2027.
Appointments
2025-023. Catherine Rymsha — Cemetery Commission
Appointment of Catherine Rymsha to the Cemetery Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2027.
Licenses
Monthly list of licenses
Monthly list of licenses (presentation/listing of current licenses).
Second Readings
2025-011. Surplus municipal vehicles and equipment
Order to declare various municipal vehicles and equipment as surplus (Fire Department and Department of Public Works).
Second Readings
2025-012. Lease purchase agreement for copier (68 Elm St.)
Order to authorize the Mayor to enter into a five-year or less lease purchase agreement for a new copier (48 months at $207.20/month) for the copier at 68 Elm St. for city departments there.
Second Readings
2025-013. Budget transfer — Conservation Commission ($4,550)
Order to transfer $4,550 from Conservation Commission Personal Services to Conservation Commission Other Expenses to cover consultant services during onboarding of a new Sustainability & Conservation Planner.
Second Readings
2025-014. DFS FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant ($18,989)
Order to accept and expend an $18,989 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security / Department of Fire Services FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program to purchase structural boots, coat, pants & suspenders.
Second Readings
2025-015. FY25 Legislative Earmark — Downtown lighting ($50,000)
Order to accept and expend a $50,000 FY25 legislative earmark for downtown lighting improvements, to hire a local firm to complete the Upper Millyard Falls Lighting Project.
Second Readings
2025-016. Intermunicipal agreement — Public Health Excellence (PHE) shared services
Order to authorize the Mayor to enter into an intermunicipal agreement under MGL Ch.40 §4A for participation in the Public Health Excellence (PHE) shared services grant with neighboring towns; Amesbury serves as lead municipality.
Second Readings
2025-018. Amend Revolving Funds ordinance (Chapter 20)
Ordinance amending Chapter 20 (Budget and Finance), Article V, Revolving Funds (§ 20-24) to amend departmental revolving funds, clarify purposes, receipts, and authorize limits under M.G.L. c.44, §53E1/2 (including youth activities and community facilities fees).
Second Readings
2025-019. Sewer Retained Earnings appropriation — $332,200 (vehicles)
Order to appropriate $332,200 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses to cover cost of purchasing four new vehicles for the Sewer Department, including branding design.
Second Readings
2025-020. Sewer Retained Earnings appropriation — $120,000 (pump repairs)
Order to appropriate $120,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Enterprise Fund Other Expenses to cover unbudgeted grinder pump repairs related to the Lake Attitash sewer project.
Late Files
2025-024. Resolution — Revise Chapter 70 funding formula
Resolution requesting the state legislature revisit and revise the Chapter 70 school funding formula to improve funding equity across Massachusetts public school districts.