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Home / Meetings /October 27, 2026
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).

occurred Agenda PDF Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Approved two business license renewals for Amesbury Chevrolet.
Unanimous
Withdrawn without prejudice: Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance).
Withdrawn (vote passed)
Authorize the Council President to appoint an ad hoc committee regarding the City Clerk ordinance.
Approved unanimous
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $9,020 MEMA radiological emergency response grant for the Amesbury Emergency Management Agency (2026-151).
Approved 6-0
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend the FFY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant in the amount of $25,200 (2026-152) as revised.
Approved 6-0
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).
Approved 6-0
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 6-0
Approved National Grid pole/conduit work at Elm Street (Bill 2026-140, WR #30628380) subject to DPW/City Engineer stipulations.
Approved 6-0
Approved National Grid underground conduit/directional drilling work at Back River Road (Bill 2026-156, WR #31297738) with DPW stipulations.
Approved 6-0
Approved National Grid pole installation and equipment for storm hardening at Highland Street (Bill 2026-158, WR #31174267) with DPW stipulations.
Approved 6-0
Approved National Grid new pole installation on Kimball Road on town property (Bill 2026-159, WR #31172420) with DPW stipulations.
Approved 5-0 (1 recusal)
Endorsed Resolution 2026-161 opposing Massachusetts Ballot Question 8 (would repeal licensed adult cannabis retail sales and home cultivation) and urging a NO vote.
Approved unanimous
AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE TRANSCRIPT

The Council opened with a Whittier Tech update describing Northern Essex’s withdrawal from a previously discussed partnership and a timeline for the Whittier school building committee’s feasibility work; councilors asked questions about site options, funding formulas and the potential fiscal effects on sending communities. The body then approved routine business including two license renewals for Amesbury Chevrolet and moved into second-reading items and grant votes.

Significant actions included withdrawing Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance) without prejudice after extended debate over authority, funding and review process; the Council simultaneously authorized the president to appoint an ad hoc committee to develop a recommended review/performance process for the City Clerk position. The Council approved multiple grant actions — MEMA radiological grant (2026-151), FFY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant (2026-152, revised redline), a $146,653 BHOAP amendment for the Council on Aging (2026-154), and a MassDOT Shared Streets grant for the Upper Millyard bridge project (2026-155) — and discussed timelines and intended uses.

At a series of public hearings National Grid presented multiple utility petitions; the Council approved pole and conduit work with DPW stipulations for Elm Street (2026-140), Back River Road (2026-156), Highland Street (2026-158) and Kimball Road (2026-159), while continuing other items (Chestnut Street pressure-relief vault and Portsmouth Road) to the next meeting to allow additional information and resident input. The Council also unanimously endorsed Resolution 2026-161 opposing Ballot Question 8 (a proposed repeal of licensed adult cannabis retail sales and home cultivation), citing potential loss of local cannabis sales tax revenue, jobs, and the regulatory framework that keeps sales in a licensed system. Public comment was minimal overall but included a resident concern at the Portsmouth Road hearing about driveway impacts that prompted continuation of that petition for further review.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

Whittier Tech update and MSBA feasibility timeline
Whittier Tech update and MSBA feasibility timeline
PRESENTATION
0:03:00–0:24:52 ▶ Watch
School Building Committee representative updated the council after Northern Essex withdrew from a partnership, described Whittier Tech’s acceptance into the MSBA feasibility phase, outlined the OPM selection timeline and upcoming publication deadlines, and answered councillors' questions about site options and the capital agreement.
City Clerk salary ordinance debate, withdrawal, and ad hoc committee
City Clerk salary ordinance debate, withdrawal, and ad hoc committee
DEBATE
0:27:36–0:45:59 ▶ Watch
Extended council discussion on a proposed ordinance to set the City Clerk's salary and review process, with councillors debating legal authority, retroactive funding, and review mechanisms; the ordinance was withdrawn without prejudice and the council president announced formation of an ad hoc committee to revisit the matter.
Upper Mill Yard bridge grant and project timeline
Upper Mill Yard bridge grant and project timeline
ANNOUNCEMENT
1:00:08–1:02:41 ▶ Watch
Council approved a $175,000 Shared Streets grant for the Upper Mill Yard bridge project; staff noted the old bridge removal was expected before Thanksgiving, fabrication would follow, and target installation of a new bridge is spring 2027, with additional costs anticipated.
Resident raises driveway concern at Portsmouth Road pole hearing; petition continued
Resident raises driveway concern at Portsmouth Road pole hearing; petition continued
PUBLIC COMMENT
1:25:25–1:28:18 ▶ Watch
A resident whose property would be affected by a proposed utility pole spoke about concerns that the new pole location could impede the driveway and mailbox; the council kept the public hearing open and voted to continue the petition to the next meeting for further input and coordination with DPW.
Council resolution opposing Ballot Question 8 on cannabis repeal
Council resolution opposing Ballot Question 8 on cannabis repeal
DEBATE
1:35:51–1:46:34 ▶ Watch
Council debated and then unanimously endorsed a late-filed resolution urging voters to oppose the statewide ballot measure that would repeal licensed adult cannabis retail sales and home cultivation, citing potential impacts on municipal revenue, jobs, and local regulation.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:25:10 · APPROVE
Approved (unanimous)
Approve the two business licenses for Amesbury Chevrolet as listed on the October 27th licenses and permits list.
MOVED · COUNCILOR STANGINELLI
UNDER · Licenses · 7. Licenses and Permits - October
@ 0:26:52 · CONTINUE
Failed 2-5
Continue consideration of Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance) to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
@ 0:45:11 · WITHDRAW
Withdrawn (voice vote)
Withdraw Ordinance 2026-128 (City Clerk Salary Ordinance) from the agenda without prejudice.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
@ 0:46:34 · OTHER
Approved (voice vote)
Authorize the Council President to appoint an ad hoc committee to consider the City Clerk ordinance and related review process.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY
@ 0:48:53 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend the MEMA Radiological Emergency Response Grant in the amount of $9,020 (2026-151).
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR MANDEVILLE
@ 0:53:08 · AMEND
Approved (unanimous)
Accept the redline revised version of Order 2026-152 (Municipal Road Safety Grant) as the substituted text for consideration.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR MANDEVILLE · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 0:53:28 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend the FFY27 Municipal Road Safety Grant in the amount of $25,200 as revised (2026-152).
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 0:56:46 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Approve payment from the FY27 general fund operating budget for the listed prior year invoices (2026-153).
MOVED · COUNCILLOR MANDEVILLE · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
@ 0:58:51 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend the FY27 BHOAP award amendment in the amount of $146,653 for the Amesbury Council on Aging (2026-154).
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
@ 1:00:48 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a MassDOT Shared Streets Grant in the amount of $175,000 for replacement-related work on the Upper Millyard Pedestrian Bridge (2026-155).
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 1:04:05 · OTHER
Approved (unanimous)
Take up the continued National Grid pole petition for Elm Street (2026-140) for a vote this evening rather than re-advertise.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STAYING IN L.A. · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 1:04:46 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Approve National Grid pole placement for Elm Street (Work Request WR 30628380 / 2026-140) as presented.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY
@ 1:05:44 · AMEND
Approved (unanimous)
Amend the Elm Street approval to include the stipulations identified by the City's DPW and City Engineer.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR HUGG · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY
@ 1:09:43 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Approve National Grid work (underground conduit) on Back River Road (WR 31297738 / 2026-156) with the usual DPW stipulations.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGENELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR MANDEVILLE
@ 1:12:37 · CONTINUE
Continued (unanimous)
Continue the National Grid Chestnut Street Extension pressure relief vault petition public hearing (WR 90000236921 / 2026-157) to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting and keep the hearing open.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STAYING IN L.A. · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 1:16:18 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0
Approve National Grid pole installation on Highland Street (WR 31174267 / 2026-158) with the usual DPW stipulations.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
@ 1:19:22 · APPROVE
Approved 5-0
Approve National Grid pole placement on Kimball Road (WR 31172420 / 2026-159) with the customary DPW stipulations.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR WELCH · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 1:27:49 · CONTINUE
Continued (unanimous)
Continue the National Grid Portsmouth Road pole petition (WR 31227515 / 2026-160) to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting for follow-up with the resident and DPW.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR GILDAY
@ 1:35:26 · APPROVE
Approved (unanimous)
Accept the late file (2026-161) for consideration this evening (Resolution opposing Ballot Question 8).
MOVED · COUNCILLOR MANDEVILLE · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
@ 1:46:11 · APPROVE
Approved (unanimous)
Endorse Resolution 2026-161 opposing Massachusetts Ballot Question 8 and urging voters to vote NO on November 3, 2026.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE
@ 1:34:47 · APPROVE
Approved (unanimous)
Approve the minutes of the October 13, 2026 City Council meeting as presented, incorporating the President's amendments.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR HOGUE · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
UNDER · Act on minutes (October 13, 2026)
@ 1:46:49 · OTHER
Approved (unanimous)
Adjourn the City Council meeting of October 27, 2026.
MOVED · COUNCILLOR STANGINELLI · SECONDED · COUNCILLOR WELCH
UNDER · Adjournment