City Council Standing Committee of the Whole Meeting

The Standing Committee of the Whole met to review four mayoral orders concerning capital equipment and personnel funding. The largest item, Order 2026-117, would appropriate $1,600,000 by borrowing to purchase two new fire pumpers; Fire Chief Rob Serino described the poor condition of current engines, noted Amesbury has been using Salisbury’s reserve truck since January, confirmed the Elm Street station can accommodate new apparatus, and explained Greenwood offered a price incentive to buy multiple vehicles together. Councilors questioned warranties, grant eligibility, customization and regionalization options; after extended discussion the committee voted unanimously to return the order to the full City Council with a positive recommendation.

Two budget transfer orders were also discussed. For 2026-118 DPW Director Joe Buckley described two unanticipated retirements in the Water Department, recruiting challenges for licensed treatment operators, and the resulting elimination of the overnight shift; the committee voted to return the transfer of $48,000 from Water Retained Earnings to the Water Sick Leave Buy-Back account with a positive recommendation. For 2026-119 Chief of Staff Pam Tobey explained that $15,000 from the Budget Reserve would be used to increase Public Health salaries to hire one full-time staff member (stationed at 39 South Hunt Road); the committee likewise recommended it favorably. Finally, Order 2026-120 to declare various municipal vehicles and equipment surplus was discussed; staff said the items are unusable and would be auctioned for scrap, and the committee returned that order to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. No public comments were offered during the meeting.