City Council · September 15, 2026
City Council Standing Committee of the Whole Meeting
Council continued 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance) for further legal review; voted to send 2026-129 (acceptance of M.G.L. c.140 §139C senior dog-license exemption) and 2026-130 (accept a $25,000 FY27 Field Demonstration Project grant) to the full City Council with positive recommendations; and recommended 2026-133 (appropriate $30,000 from Smart Growth Stabilization for traffic calming) to the full Council (5-2).
occurred Agenda PDF Minutes Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Continue consideration of the City Clerk Salary Ordinance (2026-128) to the next Standing Committee of the Whole meeting for further questions and input from KP Law.
Return 2026-129 (An Order to accept the provisions of M.G.L. c.140 §139C — senior dog-license exemption) to the full City Council with a positive recommendation.
Return 2026-130 (An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $25,000 FY27 Field Demonstration Project grant) to the full City Council with a positive recommendation pending follow-up on continuity of Council on Aging programming during the equipment replacement.
Return 2026-133 (An Order to appropriate $30,000 from the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund for traffic calming in dense residential neighborhoods) to the full City Council with a positive recommendation.
A proposed amendment to 2026-133 requesting additional information about the planned locations for temporary and permanent traffic-calming measures failed.
Agenda
Topics for Discussion
2026-128. 2026-128 City Clerk Salary Ordinance
Ordinance to establish a clear and consistent process by which the City Council exercises its authority under the City Charter over the compensation and annual review of the City Clerk (appointed by the Council and serving as Clerk to the City Council).
Topics for Discussion
2026-129. 2026-129 An Order to accept the provisions of M.G.L. c. 140 sec. 139
Order to accept M.G.L. c.140 §139(c), allowing the city to waive individual dog license fees for residents aged 70 and older while maintaining licensing and vaccination requirements; waiver would not apply to late fees or kennel licenses.
Topics for Discussion
2026-130. 2026-130 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant of $25,000.00 through the FY27 Field Demonstration Project.
Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $25,000 FY27 Field Demonstration Program grant awarded to the Amesbury Council on Aging to modernize the Costello Center kitchen and improve nutrition services, accessibility, safety, and programming for older adults.
Topics for Discussion
2026-131. 2026-131 An Order to approve payment from the FY27 general fund operating budget for the below listed prior year invoices
Order requesting payment from the FY27 general fund operating budget for listed prior year invoices for operating expenses that were not encumbered at fiscal year-end, in accordance with M.G.L. c.44 s.64 (vote requires two-thirds approval).
Topics for Discussion
2026-133. 2026-133 An Order to appropriate $30,000 from the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund to fund traffic calming methods in densely populate residential neighborhoods
Order to appropriate $30,000 from the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund to implement traffic calming tools and methods (e.g., speed radar feedback signs, center line signs, temporary speed humps) in densely populated residential neighborhoods.