City Council · October 27, 2026 · 7:00 PM
**AMENDED** City Council Meeting
Council voted to withdraw Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance) without prejudice and created an ad hoc committee to rework it; the Council also endorsed Resolution 2026-161 urging a NO vote on November Ballot Question 8. The body approved several grants (MEMA radiological grant 2026-151; FFY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant 2026-152; BHOAP amendment 2026-154; MassDOT Shared Streets grant 2026-155) and granted National Grid permits for utility work at Elm St (2026-140), Back River Rd (2026-156), Highland St (2026-158) and Kimball Rd (2026-159).
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Key decisions
Approved two business license renewals for Amesbury Chevrolet.
Withdrawn without prejudice: Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance).
Authorize the Council President to appoint an ad hoc committee regarding the City Clerk ordinance.
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $9,020 MEMA radiological emergency response grant for the Amesbury Emergency Management Agency (2026-151).
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend the FFY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant in the amount of $25,200 (2026-152) as revised.
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $146,653 amendment to the FY27 Behavioral Health Outreach for Aging Populations award for the Council on Aging (2026-154).
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a MassDOT Shared Streets grant (2026-155) for the Upper Millyard bridge project (approx. $175,000; feasibility/demolition/bridge replacement work).
Approved National Grid pole/conduit work at Elm Street (Bill 2026-140, WR #30628380) subject to DPW/City Engineer stipulations.
Approved National Grid underground conduit/directional drilling work at Back River Road (Bill 2026-156, WR #31297738) with DPW stipulations.
Approved National Grid pole installation and equipment for storm hardening at Highland Street (Bill 2026-158, WR #31174267) with DPW stipulations.
Approved National Grid new pole installation on Kimball Road on town property (Bill 2026-159, WR #31172420) with DPW stipulations.
Endorsed Resolution 2026-161 opposing Massachusetts Ballot Question 8 (would repeal licensed adult cannabis retail sales and home cultivation) and urging a NO vote.
Agenda
Presentations
6. Nick Wheeler - Whittier Tech and NECC Update
Update presentation by Nick Wheeler on Whittier Tech and Northern Essex Community College (NECC).
Licenses
7. Licenses and Permits - October
Monthly licenses and permits for October will be considered.
Second Readings
2026-128. 2026-128 City Clerk Salary Ordinance
Ordinance to establish process for City Council authority over City Clerk compensation and annual review; City Clerk is appointed by City Council and serves as Clerk to the Council.
Second Readings
2026-151. 2026-151 MEMA Radiological Emergency Response Grant
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $9,020 grant from MEMA to maintain Amesbury’s Radiological Emergency Response Preparedness Program for the Operation Center for FY2026.
Second Readings
2026-152. 2026-152 FY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $25,200 FY27 Municipal Road Safety (MRS) grant to fund traffic enforcement (selective enforcement targeting distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding); cost reimbursement grant.
Second Readings
2026-153. 2026-153 Payment of Prior Year Invoices
Order to approve payment from the FY27 general fund operating budget for listed prior year invoices (requires two-thirds approval).
Second Readings
2026-154. 2026-154 BHOAP Award Amendment
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $146,653 award amendment to Amesbury Council on Aging through the FY27 Behavioral Health Outreach for Aging Populations (BHOAP) program to fund two LICSW positions and clerical staff.
Second Readings
2026-155. 2026-155 MassDOT Shared Streets Grant - Upper Millyard Bridge
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $175,000 Shared Streets Grant from MassDOT to fund replacement-related work for the Upper Millyard Pedestrian Bridge (surveying, geotechnical exploration, design and environmental permitting).
Public Hearings
2026-140. National Grid Pole Hearing - Elm St. (WR #30628380)
Continued public hearing regarding National Grid pole placement on Elm Street (WR #30628380).
Public Hearings
2026-156. National Grid Pole Hearing - Back River Rd. (WR #31297738)
Public hearing regarding National Grid pole placement on Back River Road (underground conduit) (WR #31297738).
Public Hearings
2026-157. National Grid Chestnut St. Extension Pressure Relief Vault Petition (WR #90000236921)
Public hearing for National Grid Chestnut Street extension pressure relief vault petition (WR #90000236921).
Public Hearings
2026-158. National Grid Pole Hearing - Highland St. (WR #31174267)
Public hearing regarding National Grid pole placement on Highland Street (WR #31174267).
Public Hearings
2026-159. National Grid Pole Hearing - Kimball Rd. (WR #31172420)
Public hearing regarding National Grid pole placement on Kimball Road (WR #31172420).
Public Hearings
2026-160. National Grid Pole Hearing - Portsmouth Rd. (WR #31227515)
Public hearing regarding National Grid pole placement on Portsmouth Road (WR #31227515).
Late Files
2026-161. 2026-161 Resolution in Opposition to November 2026 Ballot Question 8
Resolution opposing Massachusetts Ballot Question 8 (An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy), urging voters to vote NO on Ballot Question 8 on November 3, 2026.