Meetings

JUL 15, '25

JUL 14, '25

Approved site plan and special permit for 26 Friend St (convert to first-floor commercial with 3 residential units); approved ANR and set an erosion-control bond for 201 Elm St; Planning Board sent a positive recommendation on Bill 2025-053 (easement at 12 Elizabeth St) and adopted updated Planning Board Rules and Regulations.

JUL 10, '25

Preliminary HPSP hearings for the Fuller Building at 45 Main Street and for 1-9 Oakland Street; Historical Commission recommendations to the ZBA for 276 Main Street. The commission will also review workflow/deadlines for HC meetings and discuss proposed revisions to the definition of “Demolition” in Article 40.

JUL 10, '25

ZBA approved a Special Permit to demolish and rebuild the house at 58 Pleasant Valley Road (vote 4-1). The Board also reviewed Housing Support Inc.'s comprehensive permit for 276-278-280 Main St, directed plan revisions, required additional hydrant flow testing, and asked City Counsel to draft a decision based on revised plans.

JUL 9, '25

Trustees accepted the immediate resignation of Bernadette Lucas; Trustees Anne Campbell and Laurie Cameron announced they will not seek re-election this year.

JUL 8, '25

Council approved four mayoral appointments — including Robert Serino as Fire Chief (2025-080) and John Rogers to the ZBA (2025-077) — created an Ad Hoc Clerk Study Committee, withdrew bill 2025-046 (Riverfront Drive signage), and referred bill 2025-081 (a $5,000 appropriation from the Streets and Sidewalks Stabilization Fund) to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee.

JUL 8, '25

Approved using $1,850 from the Soldier’s Memorial Trust Fund as the matching contribution for the Franco‑American Flagpole under the Veterans' Heritage Grant; Eagle Scout bench project at Sumner Goldsmith Park approved to proceed pending DPW placement.

JUL 7, '25

Commission approved selection of Goddard Consulting for peer review of ANRAD 002-1350 (131 Haverhill Rd), issued a Certificate of Compliance for 5 Albion St, approved a driveway modification at 31 Newton Rd (allowing asphalt in place of permeable pavers), endorsed the Bobolink Management Plan rotational mowing schedule at Battis Farm, and ratified emergency tree-removal certifications for 15 Middle Rd and 91 High St.

JUL 7, '25

Approved a Section 12 All-Alcohol license for Forrest Hill Brewing Company (Mill 77) at 77 Elm Street; commissioners also agreed in principle to revise one-day liquor license fees to $50 for wine/malt and $0 for all-alcohol effective Jan. 1, 2026.

JUL 1, '25

Council unanimously approved Resolution 2025-076 to support the Citys application for a Massachusetts PARC grant to help fund the Brian Eldredge Memorial Skate Park.

JUL 1, '25

JUL 1, '25

Hearing continued for Forrest Hill Brewing Co. DBA Mill 77 (77 Elm St) on its application for a Section 12 All Alcohol license; Amesbury Gas and Convenience (23 Rocky Hill Rd) was approved for a Section 15 Wine & Malt license.

JUL 1, '25

The board approved two trustee appointments: Gary Lefave was appointed to a three-year trustee term (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2029) and Beth MacQuade was appointed as the faculty trustee representative for a one-year term (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026).

JUN 25, '25

The committee voted unanimously to send a positive recommendation to City Council supporting the purchase of 128 Kimball Road (City Council Bill 2025-072).

JUN 24, '25

Council rejected Ordinance 2025-045 (No Parking on Lafayette Street) and approved Ordinance 2025-054 updating Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations. The Council also approved multiple fiscal orders including CPA reserve allocations (2025-063, 2025-064), a $449,940.23 free-cash appropriation for Snow & Ice (2025-069), inter-departmental transfer authority (2025-070), referred Order 2025-074 (crosswalk at/near 31 Merrimack St) to committees, and approved Resolution 2025-075 supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

JUN 24, '25

A local Eagle Scout presented a proposal to fundraise, build, and install three benches at Sumner Goldsmith Park; Trustees discussed Rocky Hill Memorial restoration work funded by a $5,000 grant and additional maintenance needs at the Franco‑American Memorial.

JUN 23, '25

The Planning Board approved sign packages for Life Wellness (100 Macy St) and Juice House (21 Water St); sent a positive recommendation to City Council for Bill 2025-072 (purchase of 128 Kimball Road to protect the drinking water supply); requested additional information on Bill 2025-053 (easement at 12 Elizabeth St); and approved a covenant release for 107 Market St and a full bond release for 12 Point Shore.

JUN 18, '25

JUN 17, '25

The Subcommittee recommended City Council approval to purchase 128 Kimball Road for water-supply protection (2025-072) and to accept a $122,661 Drinking Water Supply Protection grant to offset acquisition costs (2025-073). Members also recommended funding a $449,940.23 FY2025 Snow & Ice deficit from Free Cash (2025-069) and renewing a one-year intermunicipal animal control agreement with Salisbury (2025-068).

JUN 16, '25

Subcommittee recommended against Ordinance 2025-045 (No Parking on Lafayette Street median strip) after resident opposition; it returned Orders 2025-053 (accept easement at 12 Elizabeth St.) and 2025-068 (one-year renewal of Salisbury animal control agreement) to the City Council with positive recommendations; it also recommended approval of Order 2025-072 to purchase 128 Kimball Road for water-supply protection pending a typographical edit.