City Council · June 10, 2025 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council approved the FY26 operating and enterprise budgets including a total city appropriation of $92,459,026 and the school appropriation of $39,842,711; the Council also approved appropriation of FY26 capital Free Cash (2025-047). The Council appointed Delaney Kingsland to the Conservation Commission, reappointed James Humphries as Constable and reappointed KP Law as City Attorney (2025-065, 2025-066, 2025-067). Orders to acquire 128 Kimball Rd for water-supply/conservation purposes (2025-072) and a related grant acceptance (2025-073) were referred to committees for review.
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Key decisions
Appointed Delaney Kingsland to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
Reappointed James Humphries as Constable for a term to expire July 1, 2028.
Reappointed KP Law as City Attorney for a term to expire June 2, 2026.
Approved monthly list of licenses for June.
Accepted unobjected FY26 budget line items totaling $42,889,686.
Approved Amesbury Public Schools FY26 appropriation of $39,842,711.
Accepted Council on Aging Personal Services budget of $171,892.
Approved Library total FY26 budget of $937,670.
Approved total general fund appropriation of $83,841,959.
Approved Water budget of $4,843,166.
Approved Sewer enterprise budget of $3,448,901.
Approved Cable Public Access budget of $325,000.
Approved total city appropriation for FY26 of $92,459,026.
Accepted substitution for Order 2025-047 (appropriating Free Cash for FY26 capital expenditures).
Discharged the Budget & Finance Committee from obligation on Order 2025-047.
Approved Order 2025-047 as substituted (appropriate Free Cash for FY26 capital expenditures).
Referred Ordinance 2025-054 (Wetlands & Floodplain protection amendments per NFIP) to the Planning & Development Committee and continued to the June 24, 2025 City Council meeting with a public hearing set for June 24, 2025.
Referred Order 2025-068 (renewal IMA for regional animal control services with Salisbury) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee and Budget & Finance Committee with second reading set for June 24, 2025.
Referred Order 2025-069 (appropriate $449,940.23 from Free Cash for FY25 Snow & Ice over-expenditures) to the Budget & Finance Committee with second reading on June 24, 2025.
Referred Order 2025-070 (authorize inter-departmental transfers per MGL c.44 §33B) to the Budget & Finance Committee with second reading on June 24, 2025.
Referred Order 2025-071 (appropriate $122,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for FY25 sewer operating expenditures) to the Budget & Finance Committee with second reading on June 24, 2025.
Referred Order 2025-072 (appropriate $211,935 from Receipts Reserved for Real Estate Proceeds Fund to purchase 128 Kimball Road for water supply protection and conservation) to multiple committees and boards with second reading set for July 22, 2025.
Referred Order 2025-073 (accept and expend a $122,661 EEA DWSP grant to offset costs to acquire 128 Kimball Road) to the Budget & Finance Committee with second reading on July 22, 2025.
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2025-065. Appointment of Delaney Kingsland
Appointment of Delaney Kingsland to the Amesbury Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2025-066. Reappointment of James Humphries, Constable
Reappointment of James Humphries as Constable for the City of Amesbury for a term to expire July 1, 2025.
Mayoral Appointments
2025-067. Reappointment of KP Law, City Attorney
Reappointment of KP Law to the position of City Attorney for the City of Amesbury for a term to expire June 2, 2026.
Monthly list of licenses – June
Monthly list of licenses for June.
Public Hearings
2025-001. Adopt FY26 operating budget
An order to adopt the operating budget for fiscal year 2026; Mayor is sponsor.
Public Hearings
2025-047. Appropriate Free Cash for FY26 capital ($1,813,975)
An order to appropriate $1,813,975 from Free Cash to fund specified FY26 capital expenditures; Mayor is sponsor.
Second Readings
2025-054. Ordinance to amend Wetlands & Floodplain protection regulations
Ordinance to amend Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations to adopt FEMA's updated Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map effective July 8, 2025, and enact NFIP standards per 44 CFR Part 60.3(d); Mayor is sponsor.
First Readings
2025-068. Renew Salisbury inter‑municipal animal control agreement
Order to authorize the Mayor to renew the inter‑municipal agreement with the Town of Salisbury for regional animal control services for one year (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026); Mayor is sponsor.
First Readings
2025-069. Appropriate Free Cash for FY25 Snow & Ice overages ($449,940.23)
Order to appropriate $449,940.23 from Free Cash to fund fiscal year 2025 Snow & Ice expenditures in excess of the $250,000 appropriation; Mayor is sponsor.
First Readings
2025-070. Authorize inter‑departmental transfers (MGL c.44 §33B)
Order to authorize inter‑departmental transfers of general fund appropriations in accordance with MGL c.44 §33B; Mayor is sponsor (transfer summary provided separately).
First Readings
2025-071. Appropriate Sewer Retained Earnings ($122,000)
Order to appropriate $122,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to fund specified fiscal year 2025 sewer operating expenditures.
Late Files
2025-072. Appropriate funds to acquire 128 Kimball Road ($211,935)
Order to appropriate $211,935.00 from the Receipts Reserved for Real Estate Proceeds Fund to purchase the land and building at 128 Kimball Road for water supply protection, passive recreation, and conservation; requires two‑thirds vote.
Late Files
2025-073. Accept EEA DWSP grant for 128 Kimball Road ($122,661)
Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $122,661.00 Drinking Water Supply Protection grant from the MA EEA to offset costs to acquire 128 Kimball Road for drinking water protection and flood control management (approx. 60% reimbursement).