City Council · November 10, 2026 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council appointed Leah DeLorenzo‑Sacor as Chief Financial Officer effective immediately (2026-168) and filled the District 2 Council vacancy by electing Craig Penno. The council approved two National Grid petitions — a Chestnut Street Extension pressure‑relief vault (WR 90000236921) and a Portsmouth Road pole (WR 31227515) — with DPW stipulations. Several items were referred to the Committee of the Whole including the FY27 tax classification (2026-163), a proposed ban on cryptocurrency ATMs (2026-165), MBTA and HousingWorks grant acceptances (2026-166, 2026-167), and late-file orders on school bus stop‑arm cameras (2026-169) and a $399,600 library capital transfer (2026-170).
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Key decisions
Approved appointment of Leah DeLorenzo-Sacor as Chief Financial Officer, made effective immediately
Approved licenses on the November 10 list: new license for Intuitive Medium (Michelle Joy) and renewals for Game Time Lanes (entertainment)
Selected/elected Craig Penno to fill the District 2 City Council vacancy
Approved National Grid petition to install a pressure‑relief vault/vent on Chestnut Street Extension (WR 90000236921) with DPW stipulations and requested National Grid supply minimum approach distance information to Council and OSED
Approved National Grid pole placement on Portsmouth Road (WR 31227515) with DPW stipulations
Referred Bill 2026-162 (surplus municipal vehicles — Fire) to the Committee of the Whole for second reading as appropriate
Referred Bill 2026-163 (FY27 annual tax classification hearing) to the Committee of the Whole for presentation and to schedule the public classification hearing
Referred Bill 2026-165 (proposed ordinance to prohibit virtual currency / cryptocurrency ATMs, Chapter 446) to the Committee of the Whole
Referred Bill 2026-166 (accept MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund award, $500,000 — Route 110/150 improvements) to the Committee of the Whole
Referred Bill 2026-167 (accept HousingWorks Infrastructure Program grant, $5,000,000 — Clarks Road reconstruction) to the Committee of the Whole
Referred late-file Bill 2026-169 (adopt M.G.L. c.40, §71 — school bus stop‑arm camera/school bus violation monitoring authorization) to the Committee of the Whole
Referred late-file Bill 2026-170 (transfer $399,600 of Real Estate Proceeds to Library Maintenance & Repairs capital fund, less legal fees) to the Committee of the Whole
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2026-168. Appointment of Leia DiLorenzo-Secor to Chief Financial Officer
Appointment of Leia DiLorenzo-Secor to the position of Chief Financial Officer for the City of Amesbury; Mayor sponsor.
Licenses and Permits - November
Monthly agenda item for licenses and permits to be considered for November.
Second Readings
2026-132. District 2 Vacancy - Resignation of Councilor Claudel Frederique
Resignation creating a vacancy in District 2 (Councilor Claudel Frederique).
Public Hearings
2026-157. National Grid Chestnut St. Extension Pressure Relief Vault Petition
Continued petition hearing for National Grid Chestnut St. Extension pressure relief vault (WR #90000236921).
Public Hearings
2026-160. National Grid Pole Hearing - Portsmouth Rd.
Continued pole hearing for National Grid on Portsmouth Rd. (WR #31227515).
First Readings
2026-162. Surplus of Fire Department Vehicles and Equipment
Order to declare various municipal vehicles and equipment belonging to the Fire Department as surplus.
First Readings
2026-163. Request to Hold Annual Tax Classification Hearing (FY27)
Order to hold the annual Tax Classification Hearing and vote on residential factor, open space discount, residential exemption, and small commercial exemption for FY27.
First Readings
2026-164. Payment of Prior-Year Invoices from FY27 Budget
Order to approve payment from the FY27 general fund operating budget for listed prior-year invoices; requires two-thirds vote.
First Readings
2026-165. Ordinance to Prohibit Virtual Currency ATMs (Chapter 446)
Ordinance to add Chapter 446 prohibiting installation and operation of virtual currency (cryptocurrency) ATMs within the City to prevent financial exploitation and fraud.
First Readings
2026-166. Accept MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund Award - Route 110/150 Improvements ($500,000)
Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $500,000 MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund award to support planning and preliminary design for Route 110/150 intersection improvements.
First Readings
2026-167. Accept HousingWorks Infrastructure Grant - Clarks Road Reconstruction ($5,000,000)
Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a $5,000,000 HousingWorks Infrastructure Program grant to support Clarks Road Reconstruction (approx. 2,600 feet from Route 110 to Main Street) including roadway, sidewalks, traffic calming, and utility upgrades.
Late Files
2026-169. Authorize School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Enforcement Program
Order to accept provisions of M.G.L. c. 40, §71 authorizing the use of school bus stop-arm camera violation detection monitoring systems and establish an enforcement program pursuant to applicable statutes.
Late Files
2026-170. Transfer of Real Estate Proceeds to Library Maintenance & Repairs ($399,600)
Order to appropriate $399,600 from Receipts Reserved for Real Estate Proceeds Fund to the Library Maintenance & Repairs capital fund (with portion to General Fund to offset legal fees) to address water infiltration and related repairs; requires two-thirds vote.