City Council · September 23, 2025 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council approved rezoning portions of 24 South Hampton Road (Ordinance 2025-083) with redline edits and continued the related disposition matter for amendment; a $6 million operating override (2025-089) was approved for placement on the November 4, 2025 ballot. The Council also accepted drainage and water-line easements for 101-107 Market St (2025-093, 2025-094), adopted traffic/parking amendments including adding the 5 Market St lot (2025-090) and stop-sign changes at Market St & Fern Ave (2025-091), and approved an internal salary transfer (2025-096).
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Key decisions
Appointed Matthew Mohr to the Amesbury Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 29, 2028 (2025-099).
Substituted and amended Zoning Map amendment 2025-083 per redline edits (strike phrase in Item 1; change Item 2 acreage to .26 acres).
Approved Ordinance 2025-083 amending the Amesbury Zoning Map to rezone portions of 24 South Hampton Road to R-8, as amended.
Placed a $6 million operating override on the November 4, 2025 ballot (2025-089).
Approved Ordinance 2025-090 amending Traffic and Parking Regulations to add the 5 Market St parking lot.
Approved Ordinance 2025-091 updating Schedule IV (stop signs) to add two stop signs at Market Street at Fern Avenue (AWSC).
Declared surplus various municipal vehicles and equipment (2025-092).
Amended 2025-093 to replace the attachment with the version from the September 18, 2025 email, and then approved 2025-093 accepting a drainage easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for 101-107 Market St.
Substituted 2025-094 with the redline version, then approved 2025-094 accepting a water line/curb box/fire hydrant easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for 101-107 Market St.
Approved a transfer of $21,000 from Salary Reserve to Administration & Finance Salaries & Wages (2025-096).
Approved acceptance of the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 138, Section 12D (2025-098).
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2025-099. Appointment of Matthew Mohr to Conservation Commission
Appointment of Matthew Mohr to the Amesbury Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 29, 2028.
Licenses
6. Monthly list of licenses — September
Monthly list of licenses for September (listing of license items for council consideration).
Second Readings
2025-089. $6M operating override ballot order
Order to place a $6 million operating override on the November 4, 2025 ballot to fund municipal and school services beyond the Proposition 2½ levy limit.
Second Readings
2025-090. Amend Traffic & Parking Definitions — city parking lots
Ordinance amending Article 1 (Definitions) of the Traffic and Parking Regulations to include the names and definitions of eight city-owned parking lots, including a new City Hall lot at 5 Market St.
Second Readings
2025-091. Add stop signs at Market St & Fern Ave (AWSC)
Ordinance updating Schedule IV (Stop Signs) to add two stop signs at Market Street at Fern Avenue to establish an all-way (four-way) stop, based on a DOT-supported traffic study.
Second Readings
2025-092. Surplus municipal vehicles/equipment
Order to declare surplus and authorize disposition of two municipal vehicles belonging to the Fire Department and the Council on Aging.
Second Readings
2025-093. Accept drainage easement — 101-107 Market St
Order to accept an access, drainage and utility easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for existing drainage infrastructure on property located at 101-107 Market Street and to authorize the Mayor to execute the acceptance.
Second Readings
2025-094. Accept water/utility easement — 101-107 Market St
Order to accept a utility easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for installation, access, operation and maintenance of a water line, curb box and fire hydrant on property at 101-107 Market Street and to authorize the Mayor to execute the acceptance.
Second Readings
2025-095. Payment of prior-year invoices from FY26 budget
Order to approve payment from the FY26 general fund operating budget for prior-year invoices for supplies or services rendered in earlier fiscal years (requires two-thirds council vote).
Second 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 starting in September.
Second Readings
2025-098. Accept MGL Ch.138 §12D — liquor license conversion
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.
Public Hearings
2025-082. Disposition (sale/lease) of ~4 acres at 24 South Hampton Road
Order authorizing the Mayor to dispose of by sale or lease approximately 4 +/- acres (portion of the 14-acre city-owned parcel at 24 South Hampton Road) to enable creation of up to 36 dwelling units and one single-family dwelling on a separate portion; retention of remaining 10 acres for municipal uses; subject to G.L. c.30B and PUD-SP permitting and proposed rezoning to R-8.
Public Hearings
2025-083. Rezoning portions of 24 South Hampton Road from OSC to R-8
Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Zoning Map to rezone two portions of 24 South Hampton Road (Portion A ~4 acres; Portion B ~0.3 acres) from Open Space Conservancy (OSC) to Residential R-8.