Meetings

SEP 23, '25

Council approved rezoning portions of 24 South Hampton Road (Ordinance 2025-083) with redline edits and continued the related disposition matter for amendment; a $6 million operating override (2025-089) was approved for placement on the November 4, 2025 ballot. The Council also accepted drainage and water-line easements for 101-107 Market St (2025-093, 2025-094), adopted traffic/parking amendments including adding the 5 Market St lot (2025-090) and stop-sign changes at Market St & Fern Ave (2025-091), and approved an internal salary transfer (2025-096).

SEP 22, '25

Public hearings were held for National Grid’s substation rebuild/expansion at 9 Alenclair Drive and the large Rocky Hill mixed‑residential development (north neighborhood ~296 apartments; south ~84 condos); both matters were discussed in detail and continued to the October 27, 2025 meeting. The board approved a revised sign application for Needham Bank at 1 Haverhill Rd.

SEP 17, '25

Subcommittee set the Friends as the initial recipient of annual-appeal donations (to be re-evaluated mid-campaign), approved printing 750 appeal envelopes with QR-code/delivery options instead of a return stamp, and agreed to split printing costs using part of the Charitable Trust's unrestricted funds.

SEP 17, '25

The committee planned a parent/community kickoff and modest fundraising event on Sept. 25 at The Birdhouse in Amesbury, and outlined a mid‑October 2025–26 Annual Appeal rollout with Class Captains, a mail piece, and follow-up outreach. K. Kuse will also explore named sponsorship (e.g., bricks/boards) for the new playground with contractors.

SEP 17, '25

Historic Commission presented to the Community Preservation Committee on updating Amesbury’s 1999 Preservation Plan, use of CPA funds for historic preservation activities, and tools such as the demolition-delay bylaw and the Historic Preservation Special Permit (examples cited: Elm Street/Monroe, 20 Maple St, 15 Sparhawk; potential work on Oakland Street mill buildings). Committee set the next CPC meeting for October 25 to meet with the Amesbury Housing Authority.

SEP 17, '25

Finance committee reviewed August financials and an audit update (audit substantially complete); noted $100K moved into the Capital Reserve (balance ≈ $380K) and reviewed the Grounds Redesign project spending, assigning Central Source to document spend-to-budget links.

SEP 17, '25

TRC reviewed updates on the Rocky Hill development at 265 R, 277 R, 281, 287, 287 R, and 287.5 Elm St. (site layout, stormwater, wetlands, trails, and fire/traffic access) and National Grid’s proposed expansion of the substation at 9 Alenclair Drive (site footprint, screening, fencing, lighting, and access).

SEP 16, '25

SEP 16, '25

Board will vote on whether to adopt a revised public health fee schedule at the November 18, 2025 meeting; the Board is also working with MVPHA to obtain Department of Public Health guidance as it revises its rules and regulations.

SEP 11, '25

ZBA approved a package of waivers for the Housing Support comprehensive permit at 276, 278, and 280 Main St after reviewing site drainage, setbacks, parking, fencing, and tree preservation issues. The board also approved a variance for an addition and one-car garage at 9 Lake Attitash Road.

SEP 10, '25

SEP 10, '25

Trustees reviewed Council Order 2025-089 (a proposed $6M operating override for the November ballot) and discussed its potential staffing impacts for the library; they were also informed that the library's National Register of Historic Places application was unanimously approved.

SEP 10, '25

SEP 9, '25

Council approved multiple appointments (Design Review Committee, Board of Health, Council on Aging, Historical Commission), approved Administrative Order 2025-02 (city government reorganization), and voted to refer a $6 million operating override (2025-089) to Budget & Finance for placement on the Nov. 4 ballot. The council also referred traffic/parking ordinances (2025-090, 2025-091) and easement orders for 101-107 Market St (2025-093, 2025-094) to committee with second readings set for Sept. 23.

SEP 8, '25

Planning Board voted 5-0 to send positive recommendations to City Council on Bill 2025-082 (dispose of 24 S Hampton Rd., former AES) and Bill 2025-083 (rezoning portions of 24 S Hampton Rd. to R8), and approved the Special Permit and Site Plan decision for 38-40 Prospect St.

SEP 4, '25

The Commission designated 12 Center St as not historically significant; received an update on the proposed multi-building redevelopment at 230 Main St (preservation of the 230 Main structure, ~60–70 units, 10–15% affordable housing anticipated); and discussed a demolition-definition revision and a demolition application at 287 Elm St (Rocky Hill).

SEP 4, '25

Approved funding for Open Studios programming and marketing ($2,000 for music; up to $5,700 for marketing). A new mural by Kate Delaney at Eclipse Salon was announced.

SEP 3, '25

The TRC approved the amended Construction Management and Mitigation Plan (CMMP) for 26 Friend St., requiring an updated exhibit and coordination with DPW and public safety.

SEP 2, '25

Approved an Order of Conditions for 121 Whitehall Rd (dock), approved a modification relocating the plunge pool at 471 Main St, approved an Emergency Certification for tree removals at 6 Dennett St, and voted to release bonds for completed projects with Certificates of Compliance.

SEP 2, '25

Approved a new Section 15 Wine/Malt license for Shree Raavee, Inc (Sunoco) at 108 Macy St; commissioners also reviewed filing of local acceptance of MGL ch.138 §12D with City Council and discussed proposed licensing fee changes including a $200 transfer fee and raising one-day license fees to $50 (non-profits $0).