City Council · May 12, 2026 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council approved the appointment of Brian Higgins to the Conservation Commission (2026-091) and accepted a donated shed for the Town Park ice rink (2026-082). The Mayor presented the FY27 budget; the Council referred the FY27 Operating Budget order (2026-001) to the Ad Hoc Budget Committee with a second reading and public hearing on June 9, and referred multiple FY27 capital/revolving fund and grant orders (2026-092–2026-097) to the Standing Committee of the Whole. Also accepted as a late file and referred was an emergency sewer appropriation order (2026-098) to fund wastewater plant repairs.
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Key decisions
Appointed Brian Higgins to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2029 (2026-091).
Approved acceptance of a donated shed at Amesbury Town Park ice rink, with administration to provide information on liability and a maintenance agreement (2026-082).
Approved the remaining list of May licenses (licenses and permits).
Continued two Cumberland Farms storage permits to the meeting on June 9, 2026.
Referred the FY27 Operating Budget order (2026-001) to the Ad Hoc Budget Committee of the Whole with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for June 9, 2026.
Referred orders 2026-092, 2026-093, 2026-094, 2026-095, 2026-096, and 2026-097 (FY27 capital appropriations, revolving fund limits, Community Preservation reservations, and grant/expenditure authorizations) to the Standing Committee of the Whole with a second reading on May 26, 2026.
Accepted a late file (2026-098) regarding an appropriation of $55,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for an emergency wastewater treatment plant repair.
Referred order 2026-098 (appropriate $55,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for emergency wastewater repair) to the Standing Committee of the Whole with a second reading on May 26, 2026.
Agenda
Appointments
4. 2026-091 Appointment of Brian Higgins
Appointment of Brian Higgins to the position of member of the Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Presentations
6. FY27 Budget Presentation
Mayoral presentation on the FY27 Budget, including relevant information about the financial condition of the city.
Licenses
7. Licenses and Permits – May
Licenses and permits for the month of May.
Second Readings
10. 2026-082 An Order to accept donation of shed at Amesbury Town Park ice rink
An order to accept donation of a shed at Amesbury Town Park ice rink; shed valued at approximately $25,000–$30,000 and will support rink operations with storage and planned utility improvements.
First Readings
11. 2026-001 An Order to adopt an Operating Budget for 2027
An order to vote to adopt an Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (mayor-sponsored).
First Readings
11. 2026-092 An Order to appropriate $513,316.36 from Free Cash
An order to appropriate $513,316.36 from Free Cash to fund listed FY2027 capital expenditures.
First Readings
11. 2026-093 An Order to establish spending limits for revolving funds
An order to establish spending limits for departmental revolving funds pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §53E½ for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
First Readings
11. 2026-094 An Order re: Community Preservation Act FY2027 allocations
An order to reserve FY2027 Community Preservation Fund estimated revenues: 10% each to Open Space & Recreation, Historic Resources, and Community Housing, with an additional 5% for CPC administrative/operational expenses.
First Readings
11. 2026-095 An Order to accept and expend EOPSS/DFS SAFE grants
An order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend EOPSS/DFS grants for the FY2026 SAFE program ($6,727.92) and Senior SAFE program ($2,859.19) to support fire and life safety education.
First Readings
11. 2026-096 An Order to accept ARSL grant for library ramp
An order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $15,000 ARSL Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries grant to support replacement of the temporary ADA ramp at the Amesbury Public Library.
First Readings
11. 2026-097 An Order to transfer Greenleaf funds to COA Revolving Fund
An order to transfer $22,881.86 from the Greenleaf Supportive Day Revolving Fund to the Council on Aging Revolving Fund; the Greenleaf program is no longer in operation and remaining balance disposition is required.
Late Files
14. 2026-098 An Order to appropriate $55,000 for emergency wastewater repair
An order to appropriate $55,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to fund emergency wastewater treatment plant repairs following a significant centrifuge failure on May 6, 2026.