City Council · September 9, 2025 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council approved multiple appointments (Design Review Committee, Board of Health, Council on Aging, Historical Commission), approved Administrative Order 2025-02 (city government reorganization), and voted to refer a $6 million operating override (2025-089) to Budget & Finance for placement on the Nov. 4 ballot. The council also referred traffic/parking ordinances (2025-090, 2025-091) and easement orders for 101-107 Market St (2025-093, 2025-094) to committee with second readings set for Sept. 23.
occurred Agenda PDF Minutes AI Summary
Key decisions
Approved appointment of Christopher Lane to the Design Review Committee (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved appointment of Jarod LaVarnway to the Amesbury Board of Health (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved appointment of Cynthia Costello to the Amesbury Council on Aging Board of Directors (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved reappointment of Jay Williamson to the Historical Commission (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved Administrative Order 2025-02 (city government reorganization).
Approved acceptance of Board of Library Trustees vacancy (Bernadette Lucas resignation) and ordered posting of the vacancy within 30 days (2025-085).
Referred 2025-089 (order to place a $6 million operating override on the Nov 4, 2025 ballot) to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee with a second reading on Sept 23, 2025 (public hearing removed).
Referred Ordinance 2025-090 (update parking regulations — list of eight city parking lots) to O&A and P&D with a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Referred Ordinance 2025-091 (add two stop signs at Market St & Fern Ave — All-Way stop control) to O&A and P&D with a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Referred 2025-092 (declare various municipal vehicles and equipment surplus) to Budget & Finance with a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Referred 2025-093 (acceptance of easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for drainage infrastructure at 101-107 Market Street) to O&A with a request that the Director of DPW attend and a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Referred 2025-094 (acceptance of easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for water line, curb box and fire hydrant at 101-107 Market Street) to O&A with a request that the Director of DPW attend and a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Referred 2025-096 (transfer $21,000 from Salary Reserve to Administration & Finance Salaries & Wages) to Budget & Finance with a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Referred late-filed 2025-098 (accept provisions of MGL Ch. 138, §12D) to O&A with a second reading on Sept 23, 2025.
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2025-086. Appointment of Jarod LaVarnway - Board of Health
Appointment of Jarod LaVarnway to the Amesbury Board of Health for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2025-087. Appointment of Cynthia Costello - Council on Aging
Appointment of Cynthia Costello to the Amesbury Council on Aging Board of Directors for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2025-088. Reappointment of Jay Williamson - Historical Commission
Reappointment of Jay Williamson to the Historical Commission for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
6. Monthly list of licenses – August/September
Monthly list of licenses for August/September to be presented to the Council.
Second Readings
10a. Public Hearings (Second Readings)
Public hearings scheduled as part of second readings (placeholder heading; specific hearings not listed here).
First Readings
AO 2025-02. AO 2025-02 — Create Financial Analyst position
Reorganization under the Home Rule Charter creating the Office of Administration & Finance position of Financial Analyst (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-085. Board of Library Trustees vacancy - resignation acceptance
Acceptance of resignation creating a vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees (Bernadette Lucas).
First Readings
2025-089. Order to place $6 million operating override on Nov 4, 2025 ballot
Order to place a $6 million operating override question on the November 4, 2025 ballot to seek voter approval to exceed the Proposition 2½ levy limit (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-090. Ordinance to add names of eight city parking lots
Ordinance to amend Traffic and Parking Regulations ARTICLE 1 – DEFINITIONS to include the names and geographic definitions of eight city-owned parking lots (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-091. Ordinance to add stop signs at Market St & Fern Ave
Ordinance to amend Traffic and Parking Regulations SCHEDULE IV (STOP SIGNS) to add two stop signs at Market Street and Fern Avenue supporting an all-way stop control; follows traffic study and DOT support (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-092. Order to declare surplus municipal vehicles/equipment
Order to declare surplus various municipal vehicles and equipment, including two vehicles from the Fire Department and the Council on Aging (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-093. Accept drainage easement for 101-107 Market St
Order to accept an access, drainage and utility easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for drainage infrastructure on the property at 101-107 Market Street and authorize the Mayor to execute acceptance on behalf of the City (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-094. Accept utility easement for 101-107 Market St
Order to accept a utility easement from Newburyport Homes LLC to install and maintain a water line, curb box and fire hydrant on the property at 101-107 Market Street and authorize the Mayor to execute acceptance (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-095. Approve payment of prior-year invoices from FY26 budget
Order to approve payment from the FY26 general fund operating budget for listed prior-year invoices; requires two-thirds Council approval (Mayor sponsor).
First Readings
2025-096. Transfer $21,000 to Administration & Finance salaries
Order to transfer $21,000 from the FY26 Salary Reserve account to the Administration & Finance Salaries & Wages account to fund a part-time position beginning in September (Mayor sponsor).
Late Files
2025-097. Appointment of Christopher Lane - Design Review Committee
Appointment of Christopher Lane to the Design Review Committee for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
Late Files
2025-098. Accept MGL c.138, §12D — liquor license conversions
Order to accept the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 138, Section 12D to allow the Liquor License Commission to approve conversion of an on-premises wine & malt license to an all-alcohol license even if none are currently available (Mayor sponsor).