Meetings

OCT 22, '25

Chair reported a proposal to run an invasive-plant demonstration project at Woodsom Farm (draft to be submitted to the Mayor’s Office); DPW cleared and will mow the upper Whitehall Road fields on an every-other-year basis. The committee unanimously approved the re-appointment of Michelle Faucher to the Community Preservation Committee.

OCT 22, '25

Board accepted the school's audited/annual financials and reviewed strong 2025 MCAS results showing pre‑pandemic scoring, high growth in ELA and Math, and performance above state levels across subjects.

OCT 22, '25

Amesbury Housing Authority presented capital needs including an estimated $1 million window replacement at Heritage Towers, required upgrades at Macy Street Terrace (units and playground), and converting a vacant unit at Heritage Vale to ADA compliance; staff said routine maintenance/repairs do not qualify for CPA funding.

OCT 21, '25

Approved the annual appeal final draft and agreed to request $750 from the Charitable Trust to cover mailing supplies (Friends to cover the remaining ~ $250); mailing will be printed by the Amesbury Chamber and sent the week of Thanksgiving.

OCT 20, '25

Approved a Notice of Intent for a project on Main St with a condition that work be completed in the dry per the applicant's work plan. Continued the National Grid temporary power station proposal for 0 & 14 Mill St to the November meeting for peer-review selection and review of revised stormwater/geotechnical materials.

OCT 17, '25

OCT 15, '25

Review of a proposed multi-building residential development at 27.5–29 Clarks Road, including site layout, parking (above- and below-grade), trail connections to Point Shore, stormwater and utility plans; discussion of the City’s Traffic & Transportation process.

OCT 14, '25

Council approved an order (2025-082) authorizing the Mayor to dispose of a portion of the City-owned former Amesbury Elementary School property at 24 South Hampton Rd and confirmed three appointments to local boards (2025-100, 2025-101, 2025-103). Multiple budget and ordinance measures — including building/permits fee changes (2025-110) and late-file amendments to the Solid Waste and Parking ordinances (2025-112, 2025-113) — were referred to committee for further review.

OCT 14, '25

Committee reviewed MCAS and state accountability results showing River Valley Charter School above state averages (grades 3–8) and an overall shift from “moderate” to “substantial” progress; the committee requested a parent townhall and further disaggregated-data review and scheduled a special meeting Oct. 17 to complete remaining agenda items.

OCT 8, '25

Committee directed the director to obtain HR vendor rates and proceed with a staff climate survey, reviewed SPED audit findings (including EL screening and compliance gaps) with a plan to adopt policies and implement supports, and scheduled final audited financials and an MCAS presentation for upcoming board meetings.

OCT 8, '25

OCT 8, '25

Finance committee approved the draft FY2024–2025 audited financial statements (clean audit); implementation of a new accounting standard increased compensated absence liability by about $99K.

OCT 7, '25

OCT 7, '25

OCT 6, '25

Commission issued a Negative Determination for RDA 8 Noel Street, approved NOI 002-1353 (93 Whitehall Road) with a native-planting mitigation plan, approved Certificate of Compliance RCOC 002-1342 for I-495 drainage work, approved release of the bond for 12 South Hunt Road, accepted and approved a minor modification for DEP 002-1330 (2 Merrimac Street), and ratified an Emergency Certification for 30 Lake Attitash Road.

OCT 2, '25

The commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of a preservation restriction for 40 Prospect St to the Planning Board; members also agreed to remove a 'character-defining' clause and to lower the demolition-review threshold to 25% of wall area for structures over 75 years old.

OCT 1, '25

Technical Review Committee reviewed a proposed cluster residential development at 102 Kimball Rd (including public open space and common access driveway) and discussed National Grid’s temporary substation and decommissioning plans for Mill St (0 & 14 Mill St) and related transmission work at 9 Alenclair Dr.

SEP 30, '25

Updates on the Franco-American Memorial flagpole restoration (contractor to power‑wash and repaint before Veterans Day) and an Eagle Scout project to install benches at Sumner Goldsmith Park; a trustee announced his resignation.

SEP 25, '25

The ZBA approved a Comprehensive Permit decision for 276–278–280 Main St. with added conditions (including a 6-foot perimeter fence set one foot from the property line), and granted a variance for an addition at 15 Third St.

SEP 24, '25

The board approved the Director's FY25/26 goals — focused on increasing caregiver participation, creating a teacher evaluation rubric with coaching, and publishing an organizational chart — and discussed HR support recommendations and grounds/playground timelines. The Development Committee announced an upcoming annual fund appeal with a $50,000 goal.