**AMENDED**Historical Commission Meeting
Final approvals given for Historic Preservation Special Permits at 29 Water St and 9 Oakland St; commission also authorized a letter endorsing preservation of Duxbury's Powder Point Bridge.
The Amesbury Historical Commission met July 16, 2026, and conducted final reviews and votes on two Historic Preservation Special Permit (HPSP) matters. The commissioners approved the draft PR for 29 Water Street with directed scope updates — including specific window types and configurations (Matthews Bros windows: 6/6 upper, 8/8 lower), black/dark grey trim, Maybach natural shakes for roofing, interior relocation of mechanicals, and clarified door/balcony door materials — to be incorporated into the final Preservation Review submission. They also approved the revised PR agreement for 9 Oakland Street after the applicant revised the narrative and one rendering; the Planning Board had previously approved the HPSP following the AHC’s endorsement.
Other business included a Community Preservation Committee update and a discussion about a demolition‑related enforcement issue at 394 Main Street, where a property owner exceeded the scope of a building permit by removing exterior siding and non‑historic windows; commissioners noted this underscores the need to strengthen demolition bylaw language and set a goal timeline for revisions. The commission also authorized the chair to draft a letter endorsing preservation of Duxbury’s Powder Point Bridge (ca. 1892), which is facing demolition and may be eligible for federal preservation funding. Longtime commissioner Steve announced his resignation after 24 years and offered future ad hoc consulting assistance.