VOL. III · NO. 18 · MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026
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Home / Meetings /October 14, 2025
City Council · October 14, 2025 · 7:00 PM

City Council Meeting

Council approved an order (2025-082) authorizing the Mayor to dispose of a portion of the City-owned former Amesbury Elementary School property at 24 South Hampton Rd and confirmed three appointments to local boards (2025-100, 2025-101, 2025-103). Multiple budget and ordinance measures — including building/permits fee changes (2025-110) and late-file amendments to the Solid Waste and Parking ordinances (2025-112, 2025-113) — were referred to committee for further review.

occurred Agenda PDF Minutes Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Approved appointment of Jennifer Welter as alternate member of the Historic Commission (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved unanimously, 8-0
Approved appointment of Kendra Amaral as associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved unanimously, 8-0
Approved appointment of Peter Frey to the Community Preservation Committee (term to Feb 29, 2028).
Approved unanimously, 8-0
Substituted 2025-082 with the October 12, 2025 version (revision to the order re: disposal of a portion of 24 South Hampton Rd).
Passed unanimously, 8-0
Approved 2025-082 as amended: Order authorizing the Mayor to dispose of all or a portion of approximately 4 +/- acres of the City-owned property located at 24 South Hampton Road (portion of former Amesbury Elementary School).
Approved unanimously, 8-0
Approved the City’s October monthly list of licenses.
Approved unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-104 (appropriation from Stabilization and Ambulance Receipts Reserved to balance FY26 budget) to the Budget and Finance Committee (second reading scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-105 (transfer to Assessors Department Other Expenses) to the Budget and Finance Committee (second reading scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-107 (transfer from FY26 Budget Reserve to Building Inspections Consulting) to the Budget and Finance Committee.
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-108 (accept and expend Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant) to the Budget and Finance Committee.
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-109 (accept and expend FY26 Municipal Road Safety Grant) to the Budget and Finance Committee (second reading scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-110 (create Chapter 230 Buildings, Permitting of — adopt schedule of fees) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee and the Budget & Finance Committee (second reading scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred 2025-111 (City Clerk fee schedule ordinance amendment) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee and the Budget & Finance Committee (second reading scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred unanimously, 8-0
Referred late-file 2025-112 (amend Solid Waste Ordinance Chapter 392 — add Article III Delivery and Emptying of Dumpsters) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee and the Budget & Finance Committee (second reading scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred 7-0-1 (Councilor Stanganelli abstained)
Referred late-file 2025-113 (amend Traffic and Parking Regulations — Schedule I Parking (Permit/Restricted) and penalties/fines) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee, Budget & Finance Committee, and Planning & Development Committee (second hearing scheduled Oct 28, 2025).
Referred unanimously, 8-0
AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE MINUTES

The Council met on October 14, 2025. After appointing three individuals to municipal boards and committees (Jennifer Welter to the Historic Commission, Kendra Amaral as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Peter Frey to the Community Preservation Committee), the body took up a second‑reading order concerning disposition of city property. The Council voted to substitute the October 12, 2025 version of 2025-082 and then approved 2025-082 as amended, authorizing the Mayor to dispose by sale or lease of approximately 4 +/- acres (a portion of the 14-acre site) at 24 South Hampton Road (the former Amesbury Elementary School). The motion to substitute and the final approval each passed unanimously.

Council handled several first-reading items and budget/ordinance referrals: multiple Mayor-sponsored budget transfers, grant acceptances, and ordinance proposals (including creation of Chapter 230 Buildings/Permitting (2025-110) and amendments to the City Clerk fee schedule (2025-111)) were referred to the Budget & Finance Committee and/or the Ordinance & Administration Committee for further review; the Municipal Road Safety grant (2025-109) and other finance items were also referred. Two late-file ordinances — an update to the Solid Waste ordinance adding dumpster delivery/emptying provisions (2025-112) and an amendment to the Traffic & Parking schedule and penalties (2025-113) — were accepted and referred to committees for a second hearing. The Council approved the October licenses list and heard one public comment urging support for a teachers’ resolution. The meeting concluded after committee referrals and routine actions were completed.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

Mayor requests council rep to review special‑events permitting
Mayor requests council rep to review special‑events permitting
PRESENTATION
0:25:25–0:29:37 ▶ Watch
Mayor summarized the city's special events permitting process (now 10 years old), reported roughly 99 permits processed since moving online, and requested a council representative to join a short-term working group to revisit the ordinance and fee structure.
Warrant read and approved for Nov. 4 election, includes $6M override question
Warrant read and approved for Nov. 4 election, includes $6M override question
ANNOUNCEMENT
0:30:27–0:32:50 ▶ Watch
Clerk read the official warrant for the November 4 municipal election (polling location and offices on the ballot) including the ballot question asking permission to assess an additional $6 million in property taxes for city and school operating budgets; council voted to approve and sign the warrant.
Resident asks council to sponsor MTA resolution on higher‑education funding
Resident asks council to sponsor MTA resolution on higher‑education funding
PUBLIC COMMENT
0:35:02–0:37:41 ▶ Watch
A resident representing higher‑education staff asked the council to sponsor a Massachusetts Teachers Association resolution seeking set‑aside funds to address a fiscal crisis in public higher education; she requested a council sponsor and provided context on the proposal.
Detailed debate and amendment of disposition plan for former elementary‑school property
Detailed debate and amendment of disposition plan for former elementary‑school property
DEBATE
0:40:47–1:07:43 ▶ Watch
Council debated and amended an order to dispose of about four acres (former elementary school site), with discussion of a revised plan that increases potential units from 37 to 53 by adding smaller ground‑floor units, includes a 70% local preference for affordable units, and emphasizes planning‑board flexibility; council substituted the revised order and approved it.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:05:25 · APPROVE
Approved unanimous 8-0
move the city council approve 2025-100 the appointment of jennifer walter to an alternate member of historic commission for a term to expire 20 february 29 2028.
MOVED · COUNSELOR STAN CANNELLY · SECONDED · COUNCILOR REDFERN
@ 0:08:00 · APPROVE
Approved unanimous 8-0
move the city council approved 2025-101 kendra hammer out to the position of associate member as presented
MOVED · COUNSELOR STAN CANALI · SECONDED · COUNCIL RINALDI
@ 0:10:32 · APPROVE
Approved unanimous 8-0
i move that we approve 2025-103 the appointment of peter fry to the position of member of the community preservation committee for a term to expire february 29th of 2028 as presented
MOVED · COUNCILOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HAGSTROM
@ 0:22:15 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
i move that we approve the license list as presented
MOVED · COUNSELOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HAGSTROM
UNDER · Monthly Licenses · Monthly list of licenses — October
@ 0:32:28 · APPROVE
Approved unanimous 8-0
That the City Council approve the warrant for the November 4 election as presented.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR FREDERIQUE
@ 1:08:47 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
I move that we refer 2025-104 to budget and Finance instead of second reading for October 28th
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOPE
@ 1:09:58 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
I move that we refer 2025-105 to budget and finance instead of second reading for October 28th
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HOGUE
@ 1:10:59 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
I move that we refer 2025-106 to budget and finance and set a second reading for october 28th
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HOGUE
@ 1:11:55 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
I move that we refer 2025-107 to bnf instead of second reading for october 28th
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HOGUE
@ 1:13:01 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
i move then that we refer 2025-108 to bnf instead of second reading for october 28th
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HOGUE
@ 1:13:59 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
for 2025 109 to bnf with a second reading for october 28th
MOVED · COUNCILLOR FREDERICK · SECONDED · COUNCILOR HOGUE
@ 1:15:29 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
We refer 2025-110 to ordinance administration budget and finance and set a second reading for October 28
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILOR RINALDI
@ 1:16:26 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
I move that we refer 2025-111 to ordinance administration as well as budget and finance and set a second rating for October 28th.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILOR FREDERIQUE
@ 1:17:02 · OTHER
Passed 7-1
I move that we waive rule 5D for the purposes of including these late files.
MOVED · COUNCILOR WHEELER
UNDER · First reading referrals — 2025-104 through 2025-111 (budget/transfers/grants/ordinances)
@ 1:19:00 · REFER
Approved 7-0 with 1 abstention
I move that we refer 2025-112 to ordinance administration and budget and finance and set a second reading for October 28th.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNCILOR HACKSTROM
@ 1:21:10 · REFER
Approved unanimous 8-0
i move that we refer 2025-113 to ordinance administration budget and finance and planning and development and set a second reading for october 28th
MOVED · COUNCIL WILLARD · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HACKSTROM
@ 1:21:56 · OTHER
Approved unanimous 8-0
I move that the City Council adjourn.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANKIN · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR FREDERICK
UNDER · Adjournment
@ 1:01:00 · AMEND
Approved 8-0
Move that the council substitute 2025-082 with the version that is labeled 2025-082 revised order to dispose of 24 South Hampton Road, former AES. Council amendments 92325 draft 10122025.doc.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR NELLIE (MOVED BY TEXT) · SECONDED · COUNSELOR HACKSTROM
@ 1:07:15 · APPROVE
Approved 8-0
i move then that we approve 2025-082 as amended
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WHEELER · SECONDED · COUNSELOR STANLEY